UNIT 3: Personality in Sport

Question 1

define personality

Answer 1

the sum of an individual’s characteristics which make them unique

Question 2

how many personality theories are there?

Answer 2

four

Question 3

list the four personality theories

Answer 3

• trait theory (eysenck)
• social learning theory (bandura)
• interactionist theory (lewin and hollander)
• biological theory (sheldon)

Question 4

trait theory (3)

Answer 4

“personality is inherent and is within the athlete’s genes”

• maintains that all behaviour is innate
• a person has a natural tendency to act the same in any given situation

Question 5

trait theory can be separated further into two dimensions

what are these dimensions?

Answer 5

introvert-extrovert
stable-neurotic

Question 6

list some characteristics of an introvert (4)

Answer 6

• reserved and reflective
• less socially oriented
• focused on personal improvement
• avoid high arousal situations

Question 7

list some characteristics of an extrovert (4)

Answer 7

• outgoing and sociable
• enthusiastic and action oriented
• enjoy group settings
• leadership and motivation

Question 8

list some characteristics of a stable person (4)

Answer 8

• emotionally steady, calm and resilient
• consistent behaviour
• low anxiety and high self confidence
• rational decision making

Question 9

list some characteristics of a neurotic person (5)

Answer 9

• emotionally unstable, anxious and easily stressed
• sensitive to pressure
• tend to overthink
• unreliable moods
• low emotional control

Question 10

other personality traits include: (2)

Answer 10

• type A
• type B

Question 11

type A personality (4)

Answer 11

• highly competitive
• desire to succeed
• need to be in control
• prone to stress

Question 12

type B personality (3)

Answer 12

• non competitive
• no desire to succeed
• don’t care about control

Question 13

social learning theory (3)

Answer 13

“personality is not stable but constantly changing as a result of specific social situations”

• maintains that personality is learnt through environmental experiences and the influence of others
• personality evolves through modelling and reinforcement

Question 14

what are the limitations of the social learning theory? (2)

Answer 14

• doesn’t take into account the ‘nature’ of learning
• the behaviour that we observe is not always positive

Question 15

interactionist theory (3)

Answer 15

“neither nature nor nurture alone can fully explain human behaviour”

• suggests that personality is a combination of inherent traits and a person’s learned experiences
• traits determine behaviour but can be modified by situations

Question 16

define lewin’s summary of the interactionist theory

Answer 16

behaviour is the function of personality and environment

Question 17

what did hollander contribute to the interactionist theory?

Answer 17

he used the concentric ring theory to further explain the approach

Question 18

the concentric ring theory consists of three rings:

Answer 18

psychological core
inner ring

typical response
middle ring

role related behaviour
outer ring

Question 19

what is the psychological core? (2)

Answer 19

• “the real you”
• remains stable and constant

Question 20

what is the typical response? (2)

Answer 20

• where the response in most situations can be modified and learned
• may indicate the nature of the core

Question 21

what is role related behaviour? (4)

Answer 21

• the surface of personality
• dynamic and changeable
• determined by our perception of the environment
• action may not be a typical response and an uncharacteristic action

Question 22

biological theory (2)

Answer 22

“personality is categorised into three categories based on physical makeup”

• maintains that personality is demonstrated based on physical attributes and the relationship between build and behaviour

Question 23

list the three physical builds that are spoken about within this theory

Answer 23

endomorph
ectomorph
mesomorph

Question 24

endomorph

physically… (2)
tend to have… (2)
psychologically… (5)

Answer 24

• quite ‘round’
• typified as the ‘barrel of fun’ person

• wide hips and narrow shoulders (pear-shaped)
• quite a lot of fat spread across the body

• sociable
• fun loving
• tolerant
• even tempered
• relaxed

Question 25

**ectomorph** physically... (2) tend to have... (3) psychologically... (5)

Answer 25

- a form opposite of the endomorph - even though they may eat as much as the endomorph, they never seem to put on weight --------------------------------------------------------------------------- - narrow shoulders and hips - thin and narrow chest and abdomen - very little body fat --------------------------------------------------------------------------- - self conscious - introverted - socially anxious - intense - thoughtful

Question 26

**mesomorph** physically... (3) tend to have... (3) psychologically... (6)

Answer 26

- somewhere between the round endomorph an the thin ectomorph - they have the more 'desirable' body - generally considered 'well proportioned' --------------------------------------------------------------------------- - broad shoulders and narrow waist - muscular body - very little body fat --------------------------------------------------------------------------- - adventurous - courageous - assertive - competitive - risk taker - extroverted

Question 27

what are the limitations to this theory? (2)

Answer 27

- body shapes / types may change but personality would remain the same - stereotyping

Question 28

**relationships between different personalities and feedback:** *INTROVERTS* (4)

Answer 28

**positive feedback** might feel more comfortable receiving positive remarks in a one on one setting rather than in a group **negative feedback** might internalise criticism about their technique, preferring to work on it privately without much discussion **knowledge of performance** might value specific feedback about form and execution during practice sessions **knowledge of results** might respond more reservedly to feedback about a team's overall performance in a match

Question 29

**relationship between different personalities and feedback:** *EXTROVERTS* (4)

Answer 29

**positive feedback** thrive on public acknowledgement **negative feedback** might openly discuss and seek advice about negative feedback **knowledge of performance** might benefit from interactive and discussion-based feedback **knowledge of results** might enjoy and actively participate in discussions about team or personal performance outcomes

Question 30

**relationship between different personalities and feedback:** *STABLE* (4)

Answer 30

**positive feedback** often react consistently **negative feedback** tend to remain composed when receiving **knowledge of performance** might value specific and detailed feedback **knowledge of results** might consider broader outcomes in a balanced manner

Question 31

**relationship between different personalities and feedback:** *NEUROTIC* (4)

Answer 31

**positive feedback** might seek reassurance despite it **negative feedback** might react emotionally and anxiously **knowledge of performance** might overthink and obsess **knowledge of results** might feel heightened anxiety or pressure from broader performance outcomes

Question 32

list the three **personality profiling** methods

Answer 32

- interviews - questionnaires - coach observations

Question 33

**advantages** of interviews (4)

Answer 33

**detailed information** in-depth understanding of the athlete's motivations, attitudes, and emotional control **personalised insight** understand how an athlete might cope under pressure **flexible** open and closed questions **can assess non-verbal cues** body language

Question 34

**disadvantages** of interviews (4)

Answer 34

**time-consuming** not practical for use with large teams **potential bias** interviewer may unconsciously influence the responses **inconsistent reliability** responses can vary depending on athlete's mood or willingness to open up **social desirability** athlete may present themself in the best possible light

Question 35

**advantages** for questionnaires (3)

Answer 35

**quick and easy** **quantifiable results** useful for tracking changes in traits **standardised** same conditions for all, allowing comparison across different performers

Question 36

**disadvantages** for questionnaires (4)

Answer 36

**social desirability** **lack of explanation** doesn't reveal *why* athlete's hold certain traits **misunderstanding questions** younger or less academically inclined athletes may misinterpret technical terms **central tendency**

Question 37

**advantages** for coach observations (4)

Answer 37

**real-time behaviour** observes personality traits in action **natural environment** gives more realistic insights than artificial tests **developmental feedback** **non-invasive**

Question 38

**disadvantages** of coach observations (3)

Answer 38

**subjectivity** prone to coach bias - may favour athletes who fit their coaching style **limited scope** broader, imperceptible personality aspects may be missed **observer effect** athlete's may change their behaviour if they know they are being observed