Sports psychology - Attitudes and Motivation

Question 1

Describe what an attitude is

Answer 1

Your thoughts, feelings and behaviour towards an attitude object

Question 2

What can affect the formation of attitude?

Answer 2

• Coaches/teachers
• Parents
• Past Experiences
• Prejudice
• Media
• Friends/peers

Question 3

Identify and describe the three components of the triadic model

Answer 3

Affective - your feelings about something
Behavioural - how you act towards something
Cognitive - how you feel about something

Question 4

Give examples of the three parts of the triadic model in relation to sports

Answer 4

Affective - I don’t like doing cross country because I was made to feel bad as I came last the last time I did it and everyone laughed at me.
Behavioural - when we have cross-country lessons I get my mum to write a note so I don’t have to do it
Cognitive - I don’t think that cross country is worth doing it because it won’t help me get fit by doing it just once a year

Question 5

Identify 2 ways to change someones attitude

Answer 5

• Persuasive communication
• Cognitive dissonance

Question 6

Persuasive communication

Answer 6

The use of persuasion to change someones attitude.

Question 7

Cognitive dissonance

Answer 7

An unpleasant state that arises when a person recognizes the inconsistency of his or her actions, attitudes, or beliefs

Question 8

Explain using a sporting example, how are you can change someone’s attitude using persuasive communication

Answer 8

E.g. changing someone’s negative attitude towards going for a run
the persuader - must be a significant other with higher status, e.g. a role model such as Mo Farah
the message - must be positive and provide evidence e.g. running will boost your endorphins to make you feel good, it’ll help you loose weight, it will help distress as it it takes your mind off work
the recipient - must be willing to change
the situation - should be given in the presence of others so will see the importance as many others do it

Question 9

Explain, using a sporting example, how are you can change someone’s attitude using cognitive dissonance

Answer 9

You need to give someone conflicting ideas of their current attitude. E.g. if they hate running, explain to them all the reasons why running is so good so they have a feeling of dissonance and don’t know what attitude is right. The more positive thoughts and experiences can be explained, the more likely they are to change their attitude.

Question 10

Describe what intrinsic motivation is, and give examples

Answer 10

Internal factors that make you want to do something, such as feeling good when playing sports because you achieved learning a skill.

Question 11

Describe and give examples of extrinsic motivation

Answer 11

External factors that make you want to do something, such as praise from a coach, medals/trophies.