sports psychology Flashcards
GROUP COHESION + two components
Group cohesion is a term used to describe the extent to which a group stays together and united in the pursuit of common goals and objectives.
task and social cohesion
can be independent of each other.
Task Cohesion
How committed are the team members to achieving their predetermined common performance goal.
Social cohesion
The degree to which team members like each other and enjoy being together. Reflects friendship within the group.
Group cohesion can be measured using 3 different methods;
Questionnaires / Self reports
Sociograms
Observation
Questionnaires / Self –Reports
The “Group Environment Questionnaire” (GEQ) recognises that group cohesion is made up of task and social cohesion
Group integration – task: Perception of the group regarding the degree of task cohesion.
Group integration – social: Perceptions of the group on social cohesion
Individual attractions in the group – task: Individual perception of group task cohesion
Individual attractions in the group – social: Individual perception of the group in terms of social cohesion.
A sociogram
is a diagram which shows the inter – relationship between individuals in a team. A sociogram is often used to represent the answers to a questionnaire presented to the playing group.
can be used to determine;
Potential leaders within the group
Players who should not be considered for leadership roles
Friendship groups which extend beyond the game e.g. off field socialisation
Player cliques which can be divisive
Observation
A coach can use a checklist to observe how players in the group relate to each other, who they mix with, who they avoid, who they interact with.
Carron (1982) developed a model which describes the 4 key factors that affect team cohesion. They are;
Personal Factors
Environmental Factors
Leadership Factors
Team Factors
Methods of Personal Relaxation
Meditation
Helps to control stress and arousal levels. It lowers blood pressure, heart rate and breathing rate.
Progressive muscle relaxation
Reduces tension in the performer through sequentially contracting and relaxing muscle groups .
Floatation tanks
Music
Breathing techniques / controlled breathing / centred breathing
- Autogenic training
Requires the athlete to focus on producing sensations of warmth and heaviness in specific areas of the body. This method of relaxation quite is time consuming. - Thought Stopping / Self -Talk
Massage
. Performance routines
- Imagery
Symptoms of Physical Stress
Increased heart rate Dry mouth Increased blood pressure Nausea Vomiting Sleeplessness Muscular tension Increased respiration rate Need to urinate
Appropriate Relaxation Strategy Breathing control Progressive muscle relaxation Autogenic training Massage
Symptoms of Psychological Stress
Indecision Poor decision making Missed cues Imagined cues Irritability Fear Confusion Loss of confidence Appropriate Relaxation Strategy Self – talk/thought stopping Meditation Music Floatation tank
Sport related concentration revolves around three main aspects
Selective attention – attending to the correct cues
Maintaining attention – concentration throughout the course of the game.
Situational awareness – being aware of the demands of the situation.
Stress on different types of athletes
Stress on highly skilled athletes can result in an improvement in performance particularly if the athlete perceives the required performance to be a challenge they are capable of meeting.
Stress on a less skilled athlete, particularly an athlete who feels threatened by the demands of the task (perceives that they are not capable of doing what is required) will result in a decline in performance.
There are 2 forms of self–talk.
Negative self-talk
Self–critical or demeaning – “I can’t do this –he’s too good for me”. Creates anxiety and self–doubt and has a negative impact on performance.
A player must stop negative self–talk through a process called “thought stopping” otherwise performance levels will drop.
- Positive self–talk
Can be motivational -“I can do this” or instructional.
“ Complete the follow-through” The aim is to
enhance self–esteem, increase motivation,
focus attention and improve performance.
Social loafing
Social loafing is the tendency of individuals to lessen their effort when they are part of a group. The larger the group, the greater the likelihood of social loafing. Social loafing occurs as result of a decrease in individual motivation
