Lecture 10: Sports Psychology

Question 1

Canada at the Winter Olympics

Answer 1

• Canada has become a powerhouse at the Winter Olympics
• Athletes like Jennifer Heil, Clara Hughes, Becky Scott, and Alex Bilodeau have won multiple Olympic medals

Question 2

sport psychologist’s view of Ericsson’s theory

Answer 2

Criticized Ericsson’s theory for being too behavioural and time-consuming

Question 3

Terry Orlick’s model of sports excellence

Answer 3

There are four basic human requirements for excellence

Question 4

Orlick’s requirements for excellence

Answer 4

Talent
Effort
Simulation
Mental skills

Question 5

what does Orlick’s model emphasize?

Answer 5

collaboration with athletes

Question 6

2002 statistics on medal hopefuls

Answer 6

21% Canada
57% U.S.
91% Germany

Question 7

sports psychology remedies

Answer 7

• Training doctor onsite
• Personal coach onsite
• Money for international competitions
• Money for technological advances

Question 8

Myriam Bedard

Answer 8

a Canadian biathlete who credits her success to her innate talent

Question 9

Ericsson’s response to Myriam Bedard

Answer 9

“The intensity and quality of work for athletes who have broken through to the top of their sport almost always surpass that of the athletes who have not been able to crack the barrier.”

Question 10

Chinese coach who worked with the Canadian national team

Answer 10

” Not as good at taking criticism, tended not to believe that certain things like repetition and simulation were required for good performance in international competition, and that they had the luxury of time in learning the physical and mental skills necessary for competition.”

Question 11

mental training and success

Answer 11

“Combination of talent, hard work and simulation has produced many champions and will continue to contribute to excellence, but in the future, it will not be enough. Refined mental training will be the final prerequisite.”

Question 12

elements of psychological skill training

Answer 12

Goal-setting
Arousal regulation
Visualization
Self-talk

Question 13

Weinberg & Gould psychological skill-training meta-analysis

Answer 13

38/45 studies on psychological skill training show positive results

Question 14

psychological skill training and soccer performance study method

Answer 14

• 5 collegiate midfielders were followed over 9 games using a multiple-baseline design
• Focus on the first touch percentage and successful pass percentage.
• Multimodal intervention (Relaxation training, Visualization, Positive self-talk)

Question 15

psychological skill training and soccer performance study findings

Answer 15

found that there was a significant impact of the mental skills training on both catching and making passes

Question 16

psychological skill training and soccer performance study weakness

Answer 16

there was no control group

Question 17

goal-setting strategies with athletes

Answer 17

• Performance review and identification of key areas for improvement
• SMART framing
• Distinguish training vs. competition goals

Question 18

are training or competition goals better?

Answer 18

training goals; focusing on achieving a personal best is more effective than focusing on earning a medal

Question 19

Jennifer Heil’s approach

Answer 19

focusing on achieving a personal best rather than earning a medal

Question 20

refocus plan

Answer 20

a pre-performance routine

Question 21

function of refocus plans

Answer 21

Help regulate arousal

Question 22

visualization

Answer 22

Visualizing a successful outcome can help improve concentration and, hence, performance

Question 23

positive self-talk

Answer 23

A 2014 meta-analysis of self-talk studies found a positive effect of positive self-talk on performance

Question 24

Ericsson vs. Orlick on the acquisition of expert performance in children who started a sport at different ages

Answer 24

According to Ericsson, if Person A started playing badminton at age 5 and is competing with Person B who started badminton at 8, Person B may feel like they are picking up badminton faster. However, Ericsson would say that Person B can never catch up with Person A because they have had less deliberate practice. But sports psychologists (e.g., Terry Orlick) will have a different idea from Ericsson. Terry Orlick would say sports excellence is not just about deliberate practice.