Chapter 16: Performance Psychology

Question 1

FOUR PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF CONCENTRATION

Answer 1

• Focusing on relevant cues in the environment (selective attention)
• Maintaining attentional focus over time
• Having awareness of the situation
• Shifting attentional focus when necessary

Question 2

Limited channel capacity

Answer 2

ability to only hold a limited amount of information in the mind at one time

Question 3

Concentration

Answer 3

maintaining awareness and focus on relevant cues over a period of time and shifting focus as necessary

Question 4

Selective attention

Answer 4

ability to focus on relevant cues

Question 5

Relevant cue

Answer 5

task-associated piece of information that may signal a need for action

Question 6

Irrelevant cue

Answer 6

a distraction; cue that takes attention away from the task

Question 7

Situational awareness

Answer 7

ability to assess environmental surroundings and make appropriate decisions based on the situation, often under pressure and time demands

Question 8

Strategies to improve concentration:

Answer 8

Self-talk, Routines, Self-monitoring, Imagery

Question 9

Strategies to improve concentration: Self-talk

Answer 9

inner and spoken dialogue that forms our thoughts and shared ideas

Question 10

Strategies to improve concentration: Routines

Answer 10

help athletes transfer attention from irrelevant to relevant thoughts; increase likelihood athletes will not be distracted internally or externally; helps stay automatic without the interference of conscious awareness

Question 11

Strategies to improve concentration: Self-monitoring

Answer 11

observation of one’s self in a systematic way, typically to produce more desirable behaviours

Question 12

Strategies to improve concentration: Imagery

Answer 12

creating mental images of performance to enhance motivation, confidence, attention and focus, and acquisition of new skills, reduce competitive anxiety, psych-up for training or competition, and build competitive plans and strategies

Question 13

Motivation

Answer 13

the direction and intensity of one’s efforts

Question 14

Interactional model

Answer 14

motivation is comprised of a combination of personal and situational factors

Question 15

Intrinsic motivation

Answer 15

focuses on the athlete’s love and enjoyment of participating

Question 16

Extrinsic motivation

Answer 16

external rewards for performance; e.g., trophies, prizes, accolades

Question 17

Optimal arousal

Answer 17

an optimal blend of psychological and physiological activity in a person; a “psyched-up” mind state; intensity continuum from no arousal at all (deep sleep) to complete arousal (frenzied)

Question 18

Relaxation response

Answer 18

cognitive relaxation technique of meditating without spiritual or religious aspects

Question 19

Coping

Answer 19

the process to manage stress when feeling overwhelmed

Question 20

Problem-focused coping

Answer 20

focuses directly on the cause of a stressor

Question 21

Emotion-focused coping

Answer 21

focuses on regulating the emotional response to a stressor

Question 22

Coping Strategy: Though control

Answer 22

Blocking distractions, using coping thoughts such as “I can do it!”

Question 23

Coping Strategy: Rational thinking

Answer 23

Taking a rational approach to one’s self and the situation

Question 24

Coping Strategy: Task focus

Answer 24

Narrowing focus

Question 25

Coping Strategy: Positive focus and orientation

Answer 25

Focusing on belief in one’s ability

Question 26

Coping Strategy: Social support

Answer 26

Encouragement from coaches, family, friends, and teammates

Question 27

Coping Strategy: Pre-performance mental preparation and anxiety management

Answer 27

Mental practice, pre-performance routines, and relaxation strategies

Question 28

Coping Strategy: Time management

Answer 28

Making time for personal growth and daily goals

Question 29

Coping Strategy: Training hard and smart

Answer 29

Applying work ethic; taking responsibility for one’s training

Question 30

Relationship-oriented leadership style

Answer 30

focused on developing interpersonal relationships

Question 31

Task-oriented leadership style

Answer 31

focused on getting the task completed

Question 32

THE TARGET MODEL

Answer 32

Coaching model used to create a mastery-oriented motivational climate • Tasks—focuses on learning and downplays competition and social comparisons • Authority—allows athletes to participate in the decision-making process • Reward—bases rewards on improvement, not a social comparison • Grouping—creates cooperative learning climates within groups (not competing against each other) • Evaluation—focuses evaluations on personal improvement, not just on who is the best • Timing—provides feedback immediately after an athlete performs the task