Personality

Question 1

How can knowledge of the interactionist theory of personality help a coach to improve the performance of an individual player (4)

Answer 1

• Interactionist theory is a mixture of trait theory and social learning theory
• Behaviour can alter in different situations
• Psychological core/inner core is fairly permanent beliefs/values
• Typical response is usual behaviour in a given situation
• Role-related behaviour is specific behaviour in a certain situation
• Theories suggest that performers can be taught to alter their behaviours and teach performers to act in certain ways in specific circumstances
• Coach identifies aspects of personality or behaviour to be changed
• Creates situations or experiences to cause a change in behaviour

Question 2

Explain how ‘approach behaviour’ can be developed within the team. (4 marks)

Answer 2

• Positive experiences
• Gradually increases task difficulty
• Goal setting
• Use positive feedback
• Reduced punishment

Question 3

Explain how the interactionist theories of personality enable us to predict the behaviour of performers. (3 marks)

Answer 3

• Behaviour is a function of personality and environment
• Leads to stable behaviour in certain situations
• Change environment = change behaviour

Question 4

Explain the trait theory of personality. (3 marks)

Answer 4

• Personality is innate (born with it)
• It is enduring/stable/unchanging
• Predisposition to behave in a certain way
• Consistent
• Catell and 16PF

Question 5

Sport may increase or decrease the likelihood of aggressive behaviour
occurring among competitors. How may trait theory be used to explain
aggression in sport? (2 marks)

Answer 5

• Instinct/drive to be aggressive build up
• Shown as a release of aggressive tendencies through sport
• Catharsis