Sport Psychology

Question 1

Attitude

Answer 1

Feelings towards someone/something or an object.

Question 2

Factors affecting attitude formation

Answer 2

Past experiences
Significant others
Parents
Media

Question 3

Components of attitudes

Answer 3

Cognitive component - beliefs

Affective component - feelings

Behavioural component - behaviour

Question 4

Using verbal persuasion to change attitude

Answer 4

Quality of message - clear/concise/accurate

Person doing the persuading - high status

Characteristics of person - level of performer affects type of persuasion used.

Question 5

Using cognitive dissonance to change attitude

Answer 5

1) Disharmony in the triadic model by changing cognitive/affective/behavioural element.
2) Creates disharmony.
3) So there is a drive to re-establish consonance.

Question 6

Personality

Answer 6

The way in which we interact with the environment and other people which makes us unique.

Question 7

Trait theory

Answer 7

Personality is generalised, so predictable and based on inherent traits.

Question 8

Social learning theory

Answer 8

• Personality is learnt and changes with the environment/situation.
• We observe and copy behaviour.
• Learning requires reinforcement.

1) Significant other
2) Same gender
3) Powerful and authoritative

Question 9

Interactionist theory

Answer 9

Personality is determined by interaction of someone’s traits and the environment so isn’t predictable.

Question 10

Intrinsic motivation

Answer 10

Performing for personal satisfaction.

✔️Autonomous - Maintain determination.

Question 11

Extrinsic motivation

Answer 11

Performing to earn a reward.

✔️Cognitive - Enjoyable, so continue.

Question 12

Arousal

Answer 12

Degree of psychological readiness.

Somatic - physiological arousal
Cognitive - psychological arousal

Question 13

Drive theory of arousal

Answer 13

• Performance increases as arousal increases.
• Dominant response is more likely to occur.
• More likely with autonomous learners.
• Good for gross skills.
• Doesn’t take into account any decline.

Question 14

Catastrophe theory

Answer 14

• As arousal increases, so does performance up to optimum level.
• If arousal is too high performance suddenly decreases due to anxiety.
• If anxiety then decreases, performance improves.
• If anxiety continues, performance continues to decrease.

Question 15

Inverted U theory

Answer 15

• Performance increases as arousal increases up to optimum point of arousal.
• Performance decreases as arousal increases higher than optimum point.
• Good for open skills.
• Increase/decrease may not be smooth.

Question 16

Optimum level of arousal depends on…

Answer 16

Stage of learning
Personality
Type of task

Question 17

Anxiety

Answer 17

Negative aspect of stress brought on by the situation or inherant traits

Question 18

State/Trait anxiety

Answer 18

State anxiety - arises from the situation due to fear of failure/embarrassment.

Trait anxiety - genetically determined and predictable.

People with height trait anxiety are more likely to suffer state anxiety.

Question 19

Optimal functioning

Answer 19

Fully concentrated
Confidence
Enjoyment
Effortless

Question 20

Effect of an audience on sports performance

Answer 20

Social facilitation - positive influence of others on sports performance.

Social inhibition - negative influence of others on sport performance.

Question 21

Effect of audience on extroverts/introverts

Answer 21

Extroverts - social facilitation due to low RAS meaning they seek arousal to perform better.

Introverts - social inhibition due to high RAS meaning they are more sensitive to arousal.

Question 22

Strategies to minimalist social inhibition

Answer 22

Have people watch training.

Coach reassuring performer.

Supportive team mates.

Question 23

Aggression

Answer 23

Intent to harm someone outside the rules.

Question 24

Assertion

Answer 24

Forceful behaviour within the rules

Question 25

Instinct theory of aggression

Answer 25

Aggression is natural and instinctive. Linked to high arousal. When aggression is released the performer experiences catharsis. If you don't release aggression, you become more aggressive.

Question 26

Social learning theory of aggression

Answer 26

Observe and copy aggressive acts. Or when aggression is reinforced. Model should be of same sex. Aggression is more likely to be physical in men.

Question 27

Group

Answer 27

Collection of people who share similar goals and interact with one another

Question 28

Stages of group formation

Answer 28

Forming: Members get to know each other. Storming: Members jostle for position. Norming: Roles and responsibilities are clearer. Performing: Team members are more trusted to do jobs.

Question 29

Steiner' model of group effectiveness

Answer 29

Actual productivity = potential productivity - Losses due to faulty processes

Question 30

Factors affecting faulty processes

Answer 30

Motivation: Individual efforts not recognised. Injury or illness. Coordination: Lack of communication. Inadequate leadership.

Question 31

Ringelmann effect

Answer 31

Arises when individual performance decreases as group size increases, due to motivational losses.

Question 32

Social loafing

Answer 32

When individuals lose identity within a group due to their efforts not being recognised, causing them to lose motivation.

Question 33

How to reduce social loafing

Answer 33

Giving feedback. Peer pressure. Social cohesion.

Question 34

Importance of goal setting

Answer 34

Help maintain focus. Help maintain persistence. Raises confidence. Controls arousal/anxiety. Monitor performance.

Question 35

Effective goal setting

Answer 35

Specific - clear + specific Measurable - able to be assessed Achievable - within reach Recorded - allows progress to be monitored Time phased - ensures goals are achieveable

Question 36

Types of goals

Answer 36

Outcome goals: Related to the end result. Performance goals: Concerned with performance compared to previous performances. Process-orientated goals: Concentrates on technique and tactics.

Question 37

Narrow band theory

Answer 37

Type A: Impatient Intolerant High stress Type B: Relaxed Tolerant Low stress

Question 38

Trait personality

Answer 38

Extrovert: Sociable/Lack concentration/Low RAS Introvert: Unsociable/Concentrated/High RAS

Question 39

Neurotic vs Stable

Answer 39

Neurotic: Personality varies and is unpredictable Stable: Personality traits are constant and predictable