Sports psychology Flashcards
What is personality?
A unique psychological makeup.
Personality profile has implications for the way coaches and players should approach training and competition.
What is trait theory?
An individual is born with innate characteristics, traits, that are stable, enduring and stay the same in different sporting situations.
It attempts to predict behaviour because sports performers are always going to behave in the same way.
What are the limitations of trait theory?
Can behaviour always be predicted? It does not take into account personality change, with the situation, or formed with experience.
What is an example of the limitations of trait theory?
A footballer could be aggressive after being fouled but then calm and apologetic in the post-match interview.
David Beckham played in the 2002 world cup with concentration, dignity and focus.
In 1998 he was petulant and aggressive went sent off. Did his international experience help him to learn a more mature approach?
What is social learning theory?
Suggests that behaviour is learned from significant others by socialisation.
Traits can be developed by associating with other people and picking up their behaviour - socialisation.
We are more likely to learn reinforced behaviour that is seen as successful and powerful, and consistently shown to us.
Observe - Identify - Reinforce - Copy
What is the interactionist perspective?
Combines social learning and trait theories.
It suggests that the traits we are born with are adapted and used according to the situation.
What is an example of Lewin’s interactionist perspective?
A player who has traits of being assertive or well-motivated and dominant would use them in a game where there is a need to impose a presence on the play.
A rugby player about to form a scrum would approach it with real intent and begin to pack down with force and determination.
In a more open play, they may think more about supporting the player with the ball and more calmly and assured.
What is Lewin’s approach?
Suggested the interactionist approach is explained by Lewin’s formula Bf(P x E).
Where behaviour is a function of personality and the environment.
It attempts to help coaches by predicting how a player will react in a specific situation.
What is Hollander’s approach to interactionist theory?
He suggested personality is made up of: the core of the performer, the typical responses and role-related behaviour.
The core is stable and solid and not likely to change. Beliefs and values, such as playing a team sport, are underlying.
Typical responses are the usual responses the player would make in a situation.
The role-related behaviour implies that further changes to behaviour may be needed as the situation demands.
What is an example of Hollander’s approach?
In a team game, a player has the core values of a strong work ethic. The player is an attacker who typically responds to attacking situations by making the effort to make various runs to find space and then receive the ball from midfield.
In a close game, however, when there’s pressure and trying to defend a narrow lead, the player tracks back and employs the role of a defender to help protect the lead.
How can the coach use knowledge of interactionist perspective to help performers?
The coach could predict any potential unacceptable or aggressive behaviour and remove the player from the situation by substituting them.
This could avoid a potential red card and a sending off.
How can the coach use knowledge of interactionist perspective to help performers - training?
The coach could identify situations that cause inappropriate actions of a dropping off of performance and create similar situations in training so that the player can learn to cope.
A nervous player would learn to cope with the effect of being watched by a crowd by getting used to being observed during practice.
How can the coach use knowledge of interactionist perspective to help performers - circumstances?
The coach could use the interactionist approach to change player behaviour by encouraging players to adapt to specific circumstances.
If a player is anxious about taking a penalty, the coach could offer advice, support and encouragement during penalty practice so that the player learns to be more in control when taking penalties in future games.
What is arousal?
An energised state, a readiness to perform, a drive to achieve.
State of activation experienced by sports performers before and during competition.
Increased arousal can be caused by an increase in the level of competition such as the approach of a major game or championship event, by the effect of an audience.
What is drive theory?
As arousal increases, so does performance.
P = f(D x H) performance is a function of drive x habit.
Assumes that increased motivation causes increased drive, causes increased performance, as more effort will be put in.
What is the dominant response?
The stand out response that the performer thinks is correct. At high arousal, the performer is more likely to focus on the dominant response.
In elite perfromers, this is likely to be correct and so performance remains high.
In beginners, it may not be developed so the wrong option is chosen and performance is poor.
