Week 2 - Performance Profile and Needs Analysis

Question 1

What is the purpose of a needs analysis?

Answer 1

• establish the needs of the individual
• establish if the psychologist is a good fit for the individual

Question 2

What do you need to know before you devise an intervention?

Answer 2

• age
• sport played (position, sporting history)
• gender
• injury history
• overall goals (short/medium term goals)
• outside of sport life (job, children etc)
• financial situation
• level of commitment to the intervention
• previous interventions
• their understanding of sport psych
• strengths / weaknesses

Question 3

Who should we collect data from to identify the clients needs?

Answer 3

• the client themselves
• parents (if under 18)
• coaches / teammates (if clients consent is given)

Question 4

Main methods of needs analysis

Answer 4

• performance profile (go-to)
• interview / focus groups
• observations
• journal / diaries
• questionnaires

Question 5

what does a performance profile do?

Answer 5

• based on personal construct theory (Kelly, 1995)
• identifies strengths and weaknesses of the athlete
• understand how individuals perceive the world
• elicit individuals personal constructs considered essential for athletic success
• gives athlete more active role in decision-making process

Question 6

What are the basic uses of a performance profile?

Answer 6

• identify what are the most important psychological characteristics of an elite performer in your sport
• rate yourself on these qualities (ideal rating, personal rating, priority)
• basic PP used as trigger point to initiate further conversation into deeper contexts

Question 7

What are the benefits of a performance profile?

Answer 7

• provides a baseline level to compare back to (see progress)
• allows client to express their needs
• shows strengths / weaknesses
• develops self-awareness
• builds rapport / relationship between psychologist and client
• personal / individual process

Question 8

Advanced performance profile corollaries

Answer 8

• individual corollary
• dichotomy corollary
• organisation corollary
• range corollary
• commonality corollary
• sociality corollary
• construction corollary
• experience corollary
• choice corollary
• modulation corollary
• fragmentation corollary

Question 9

Supplementary Methods of Needs Analysis - Interview / Focus Group

Answer 9

• in-depth analysis of sporting experiences
• dependent on trust / rapport / self-awareness
• determined by probes, summary, reflection, etc
• focus group helpful to generate dynamic dialogue but limits anonymity

Question 10

Supplementary Methods of Needs Analysis - Questionnaire

Answer 10

• ascertain level of specific psychological characteristics
• helpful to monitor progress and evaluate impact of intervention
• provides accountability
• less need for detailed self-awareness
• no detail / explanation

Question 11

Supplementary Methods of Needs Analysis - Observations

Answer 11

• focus on behaviours
• can identify behaviours client wasn’t aware of
• no explanation
• can assist recall if used with interviews

Question 12

Supplementary Methods of Needs Analysis - Journal / Diary

Answer 12

• in-depth reflection
• can be free-association or focused
• can be especially useful in children
• helps with recall

Question 13

Basic PP Corollaries

Answer 13

• individuality corollary (unique perspective)
• organisational corollary (identify priority rating)
• commonality corollary (themes across groups of individuals)
• sociality corollary (compare self rating with others rating)