Personality + Theories

• Personality - A unique pattern of behaviour and characteristics an athlete displays.
• Behaviour = Function of personality
• Social learning theory = Behaviour of the environment
• Attention - Learn through observation
• Retention - Must be able to remember skill or behaviour and recall it
• Motor reproduction - Must be physically able to perform task observed.
• Motivational response - Athlete needs to be motivated or they will not go through the first 3 stages (attention, retention and motor reproduction).
• Biological theory

  • Categorised into 3
  • Endomorph
  • Ectomorph
  • Mesomorph
• Endomorph

  • 'Barrel of fun'
  • Wide hip and narrow shoulders
  • Lots of fat across body
  • Sociable, fun loving, tolerant, even tempered
• Ectomorph

  • Narrow shoulders and hips
  • Little body fat
  • May eat like an endomorph, don't gain weight
  • Self conscious, introverted, inhibited, socially anxious, intense, thoughtful
• Mesomorph

  • Round endomorph and thin ectomorph
  • 'Desirable body'
  • Broad shoulders and narrow waist
  • Muscular body
  • Little body fat
• Behaviour = Function of individuals personality + Environment situation
• Personality profiling

  • Observation
  • Questionaire
  • Interview
• Advantages of Personality Profiling

  • Cheap and easy
  • Easy to interpret
  • Self asses
  • Identifies best performance
• Disadvantages of Personality Profiling

  • Personalities are complex
  • Cant be exact
  • One form not accurate
  • No predictions
• Personality

  1. Extrovert - perform well when aroused
  2. Introvert - perform best at low levels of arousal
• What is personality defined as in sports psychology?

  The collection of distinctive characteristics
• What are the characteristics of Type A personality?

  • Competitive
  • Likes to be stressed
  • Likely to be anxious
  • Works quickly
  • Prefers to be controlled
• What are the characteristics of Type B personality?

  • Non-competitive
  • Calm
  • Likes to take time
  • Low need to achieve
  • Prefers to be controlled
• What does Lewin's Interactionist Theory suggest about personality?

  General traits can be changed by the environment
• How does Hollander's model relate to personality?

  It links personality traits to the psychological core
• What is the function of personality according to the formula?

  Function of personality = f(personality + environment)
• How might a phlegmatic player need to adapt during a rivalry game?

  Calm themselves down when facing a rival
• What are the two personality traits that influence achievement motivation?

  • Need to achieve (NACH)
  • Need to avoid failure (NAF)
• What are the characteristics of NACH personalities?

  • Do not fear failure
  • Tend to take risks
  • Like challenging situations
  • Like feedback
• What are the characteristics of NAF personalities?

  • Tend to avoid risk taking
  • Avoid challenging situations
  • Dislike feedback
• How can the development of achievement motivation help young athletes?

  It can prevent competitive trait anxiety
• What is self-confidence in sports psychology?

  • Belief in one's ability to succeed
  • Similar to self-efficacy
• How does self-efficacy relate to performance?

  Greater self-efficacy leads to better performance
• What are Bandura's four sources of self-efficacy?

  1. Performance accomplishments
  2. Vicarious experience
  3. Verbal persuasion
  4. Emotional arousal
• What is performance accomplishment in Bandura's theory?

  Witnessing similar individuals succeed boosts confidence
• How does vicarious experience influence self-efficacy?

  Seeing others succeed increases belief in oneself
• What role does verbal persuasion play in self-efficacy?

  Positive feedback boosts belief in success
• How does emotional arousal affect self-efficacy?

  Positive perception of arousal boosts confidence
• What are the limitations of personality tests in sports psychology?

  • Personalities are complex
  • Cannot predict behavior in all situations
  • Individuals may lie or have reporting bias
• What are the benefits of personality profiling in sports?

  • Fast and easy to complete
  • Inexpensive
  • Can be computer read
  • Useful in sports training/coaching
• How can self-efficacy be developed?

  • Think about successful performances
  • Watch others perform well
  • Provide positive feedback
  • Build skill level gradually
  • View arousal as readiness
  • Use positive self-talk
• What is motivation in sports psychology?

  Internal mechanisms and external stimuli directing behavior
• What is intrinsic motivation?

  • Motivation from within the individual
  • Internal rewards and satisfaction
• What are the benefits and drawbacks of intrinsic motivation?

  Benefits:

  • Improved task performance
  • Enjoyment and satisfaction

  Drawbacks:

  • May not be enough for the performer