Sports Psychology

Question 1

Define attribution

Answer 1

Perceived causes of a particular outcome, and are often the reasons we give for the results we achieve.

Question 2

Briefly describe Weiner’s model of attribution.

Answer 2

Weiner identified 4 main reasons given for results:
ability, effort, task difficulty, luck.
Locus of casuality; refers to whether the attributions come from within the perosn (internal) or from the environment (external).
Locus of stability; refers to whether the attribution is changeable (stable) or unchangeable (unstable).

Question 3

If the reasons attributed to winning are stable, how will the performer respond?

Answer 3

The athlete will be motivated to achieve again

Question 4

If the reasons attributed to losing are unstable, how will the performer respond?

Answer 4

The athlete is more likely to try again, as there is a good chance that the outcome will change.

Question 5

What is a self-serving bias?

Answer 5

A persons tendency to attribute their failure to external factors, as an excuse to explain their poor performance.
It protects an athletes self-esteem.
“the floor was slippy”

Question 6

What is learned helplessness?

Answer 6

Refers to a belief that failure in inevitable and a feeling of hopelessness when faced with a particular situation or group situations.
Low achievers often attribute their failure to uncontrollable factors, which can lead to learned helplessness.

Question 7

What is mastery orientation?

Answer 7

View that an individual will be motivated by becoming an expert in sports performance. Attribute failure to internal factors, such as effort, and will continue to strive to become better.

Question 8

Define sports confidence.

Answer 8

Belief or degree of certainty individuals possess about their ability to be successful in sport.

Question 9

Define self-efficacy.

Answer 9

The self-confidence we have in specific situations.

Question 10

According to Banduras theory of self-efficacy, what 4 types of information affect our self-efficacy?

Answer 10

1. Performance accomplishments. If success has been experienced in the past, it raises self-efficacy.
2. Vicarious experiences. If we see others succeed, it will motivate us.
3. Verbal persuasion. If someone encourage you to play, it raises our confidence.
4. Emotional arousal. If you are able to control your emotions, you will have a high self-efficacy.

Question 11

What makes a good leader?

Answer 11

1. good communication skills.
2. high motivation.
3. enthusiastic.
4. good at the sport
5. clear goal/vision

Question 12

What are the 2 types of leaders, and briefly describe them.

Give 1 advantage and 1 disadvantage for each type of leader.

Answer 12

1. Emergent leaders.
   Come from the group because they are skillful, or because the team picked them. They wont be threatening to the team. However, friendships may colour their judgement.
2. Prescribed leaders.
   Appointed to a team from an external source. Could be a fresh pair of eyes, with new strategies/tactics. However, they may not be aware of the team culture, and so delay effective decision making.

Question 13

What are the 3 types of leadership style?

Answer 13

1. Autocratic.
   Task orientated and make most of the decisions. They show little interest in individuals.
2. Democratic.
   Value the views of group members and tend to share decisions with the team.
3. Laissez-faire
   Make very few decisions and allow individuals to do what they want.

Question 14

Describe the trait approach for leadership.

Answer 14

Suggests leaders are born with the skills necessary to take charge.

Question 15

Describe the social learning theory of leadership.

Answer 15

Suggests all behaviours are learnt. Leadership characteristics are learned by watching and copying (vicarious learning). Learning requires reinforcement.

Question 16

Describe the Interactionist theory of leadership.

Answer 16

Leadership qualities emerge because of both inherited abilities and learned skills. Generally percieved as giving a more realistic explanation of human behaviour in sport.

Question 17

Chelladurais’s multi-dimensional model of sports leadership identified 3 factors (antecedents) that affect leadership.
What were they?

Answer 17

1. Situational Characteristics. 
E.g Skill of opposition, Numbers involved, Time constraints.
2. Leader Characteristics.
E.g Skill and experience of the leader.
3. Member Characteristics.
E.g Age, Gender, Motivation, Experience.

Question 18

Chelladurai recognises 3 tupes of leader behaviour, that would be guided by the antecedents.
What are they?

Answer 18

1. Required Behaviour.
   Involves what ought to be done by the leader, in certain situations.
2. Actual Behaviour.
   What the leader chooses as the best course of action in the given situation.
3. Preferred Behaviour.
   What the group want the leader to do.

Question 19

What do you call:

1. Positive stress.
2. Negative stress.

Answer 19

1. Eustress

2. Distress

Question 20

Explain:

1. Stressors
2. Stress Response.
3. Stress Experience

Answer 20

1. Stressors are the environmental changes that can induce a stress response. E.g competition, conflict.
2. Stress responses are the psychological changes that occur as a result of stress.
3. Stress Experience is the way we percieve the situation.

Question 21

Define trait anxiety.

Answer 21

A trait that is enduring in an individual (born with it). Potential to react to all situations with apprehension.

Question 22

Define state anxiety.
GIve the 2 types of state anxiety and describe them.
What causes state anxiety?

Answer 22

Anxiety that is felt in certain situation

1. Somatic anxiety; bodys response
2. Cognitive anxiety; psychological response.

Caused by fear of failure / fear of injury / fear of embarrassment.

Question 23

How can anxiety influence performance in sport?

Answer 23

Lack of concentartion, so miss key cues.
Can lead to aggression
Can lead to mistakes and poor technique.

Question 24

How can positive thinking/self-talk help manage stress?

Answer 24

Performers can reassure themselves in their ability. It helps to focus on winning and attaining success.

Question 25

How can negative thought stopping help manage stress?

Answer 25

Performers can train themselves to recognise and remove negative thoughts and focus on their performance.

Question 26

How can mental rehearsal help manage stress?

Answer 26

Form a mental image of the skill you are about to perform. Used to learn a new skill, improve existing skills and control stress/anxiety.

Question 27

How can imagery help manage stress?

Answer 27

Formation of menatl images that are unrelated to the actual activity (lying on a beach). Used to improve concentration and develop confidence.

Question 28

What are the 2 forms of imagery?

Answer 28

1. External imagery.
   Seeing yourself from outside the body.
2. Internal imagery.
   Seeing yourself from within.

Question 29

How can mindfulness help manage stress?

Answer 29

Paying attention to the present, often invovling meditation. Can lead to the peak flow experience or zone of optimum functioning.