Sport Books Publisher1 The Mental Side of Human Performance Chapter 13

Sport Books Publisher2 INTRODUCTION

Sport Books Publisher3 History of Sport Psychology Chinese and Greek Civilizations –“Healthy mind in a healthy body” 1800s –First sport psychology research –Effects of audience on performance of cyclists Past Three Decades –Increased recognition and growth of sport psychology discipline

Sport Books Publisher4 Growth of Sport Psychology Sport psychology has only recently developed and grown due to: 1.Expansion of scientific knowledge and emergence of different branches 2.Increased media attention

Sport Books Publisher5 Outline In this section you will be introduced to the following sport psychology issues: –Influence of personality on performance –Effects of sport on personality –Relationship between anxiety and performance –Effects of motivation on sport performance –Effects of the audience on athletic accomplishments

Sport Books Publisher6 PERSONALITY AND THE ATHLETE

Sport Books Publisher7 Personality: Pattern of characteristic thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that distinguish one person from another and persist over time and situations.

Sport Books Publisher8 The study of personality in sport psychology can help us answer the following questions:  Do athletes possess different personality characteristics than nonathletes?  Do winners possess different personality profiles than losers?  Does personality determine sport preference, or does a particular sport mold our personality accordingly?  Can personality be changed or does it remain relatively fixed throughout involvement in sport?

Sport Books Publisher9 Personalities of Athletes Versus Nonathletes

Sport Books Publisher10 Personalities of Athletes Versus Nonathletes Compared to nonathletes, athletes are more: Stable Extroverted Competitive Dominant Self-confident Achievement-oriented Psychologically well-adjusted Conservative with respect to political views Authoritarian Persistent Display higher levels of self-esteem

Sport Books Publisher11 Personalities of Athletes Versus Nonathletes Although differences exist, a clear pattern of differences has yet to emerge

Sport Books Publisher12 Personality Profiles of Athletes Differing in Skill Level

Sport Books Publisher13 Definitions Personality traits: psychological characteristics of the athlete which remain relatively stable over time Personality states: “right now kinds of feelings” which are situation-specific State-trait controversy: disagreement of the relative merits of studying states versus traits Interactional theory: the best state-trait approach, which considers personality traits and states, as well as situation-specific factors

Sport Books Publisher14 It is NOT yet possible to distinguish between successful and unsuccessful athletes using personality traits However, it is possible to distinguish between the elite athletes and the lesser skilled in terms of mood states

Sport Books Publisher15 Mood States of Elite Versus Nonelite Athletes Mood states of elite athletes versus lesser skilled athletes are below in: And are markedly higher in: Tension Depression Anger Fatigue Confusion Vigor

Sport Books Publisher16 Iceberg Profile This mood state profile resembles an iceberg and is therefore often referred to as the iceberg profile

Sport Books Publisher17 Developmental Effects of Sport on Personality

Sport Books Publisher18 Are personality differences due to the athletic experience? Or Do certain personality traits cause the individual to go out for certain sports (gravitational hypothesis)? Evidence tends to support the gravitational hypothesis HOWEVER, participation in sports can also enhance personality development

Sport Books Publisher19 Personality and the Athlete: Conclusions  Athletes tend to be more extroverted, independent, and self-confident than nonathletes; they also tend to be less anxious  Elite athletes can be distinguished from lesser skilled athletes by means of the iceberg profile; it is not possible, however, to distinguish between winners and losers  Individuals with certain personality traits tend to gravitate toward sports; sport also has the potential to enhance certain personality traits