Personality

Define personality

A person's unique psychological make up

Define nature

Personality is wholly inherited

Define nurture

Personality is learnt through experiences

What are the 4 personality theories

• Sheldon's Biological Theory

• Cattell - Eyesnck's Trait Theory

• Bandura's Social Learning Theory

• Hollander's Interactionist Theory

Describe Sheldon's Biological Theory

Sheldon created the somatotype method of describing + cataloging body shapes

What are the 3 somatotypes in Sheldon's Biological Theory

• endomorph - pear shaped, high body fat

• mesomorph - wide shouldered, muscular

• ectomorph - tall, thin, little muscle

What did Sheldon believe about mesomorphic body types

• extroverted

• toughness

• adventurous

• social

What did Sheldon believe about the ectomorphic somatotype

• introverted

• quiet

• studious

• anxious

What did Sheldon believe about the endomorphic somatotype

• lazy

• relaxed

• sociable

What are the 2 dimension of personality in Trait Theory (Cattell + Eyesnck)

• Neurotic - Stable

• Extroverted - introverted

Eyesnck proposed that there are 4 personality types

• Extrovert + stable

• Extrovert + neurotic

• Introvert + stable

• Introvert + neurotic

How did Trait Theory describe introverts

• shy + reserved

• fast arousal levels

• Prefers isolation from others

How did trait theory describe extrovert

• Outgoing + sociable

• Slow arousal levels

• Interacts well with others

How did Trait Theory describe neurotic

• Extreme + unpredictable emotions

• Unreliable moods

• High degrees of stress - anxious

How did Trait Theory describe stable

• Predictable emotions

• Predictable moods

• Tend not to experience intense stress

Describe Bandura's Social Learning Theory

• Explains the behaviour as reactions to specific situations

• We learn to deal with situations by observing others or the results of their behaviour

• Model our own behaviours on what we have seen

Define vicarious reinforcement

The learning of emotional responses through observing others

What did the Bobo Doll experiment show?

Performers are more likely to copy 'significant others' those who are seen as high status role models

What is the acronym for skill development in the Social Learning Theory

DARMMM

What does D in the acronym for skill development in the social learning theory stand for and mean

Demonstration - of skill by significant others

What does A in the acronym for skill development in the social learning theory stand for and mean

Attention - learner takes note of the demonstration

What does R in the acronym (DARMMM) for skill development in the social learning theory stand for and mean

Retention - learner remembers the demonstration

What does M (1) in the acronym for skill development in the social learning theory stand for and mean

Motor reproduction - learner attempts to copy the movement

What does M (2) in the acronym for skill development in the social learning theory stand for and mean

Motivation - learner must be motivated to learn the skill

What does M (3) in the acronym for skill development in the social learning theory stand for and mean

Matching performance - successful reproduction of skill

Describe Hollander's Interactionist Theory

Combines the trait and social learning perspective by proposing that personality is modified and behaviour is formed when genetically-inherited traits are triggered by an environmental circumstance

What 3 levels of an individuals personality did Hollander believe in the Interactionist Theory

• Psychological core

• Typical responses

• Role-related behaviour

Describe the psychological core of in Hollander's Interactionist Theory

Most unlikely to be changed so is relatively permanent

• Holds beliefs, values + attitudes

• This is the most real you

• Core concept of self which individual are reluctant to show

Describe the Typical Response in Hollander's Interactionist Theory

Represents how individuals are likely to respond in a situation

Describe the Role-related Behaviour in Hollander's Interactionist Theory

The most changeable aspects of personality which is dependent on feelings + the situation the individual is in

• How an individual responds to specific situations

• May be uncharacteristic behaviours

What are the 3 ways of testing/measuring personality

• Interviews

• Questionnaires

• Observation

Interviews are:

• before or after an event

• not directly related to performance

• open ended + flexible

• may be influenced by the interviewer

• unable to quantify

Questionnaires are:

• before or after an event

• not directly related to performance

• rigid + systematic set out

• able to quantify

Observations are:

• during an event

• directly related to performance

• difficult to accurately quantify

• may be influenced by observer's views + attitudes

Problems with the tests to test personality are:

• lack of accuracy + objectivity

• participants honesty

• desire to make a favourable impression so give answers thought to be wanted

Answers of testing personality can be influenced by:

• personality of tester

• time of day or month

• participants mood

• personality is too complex to be viewed in response to yes and no questions

Which theory looks at the reasons given for success and failure

Weiner’s Attribution Theory

What does Attribution Theory explain

The locus of causality

Shows the links between attribution + achievement motivation

What is A, B and C on Weiner’s Attribution Theory

A - Stability

B - Stable

C - Unstable

What is D, E and F on Weiner’s Attribution Theory

D - Locus of Causality

E - Internal

F - External

What is G, H, I and J on Weiner’s Attribution Theory

G - Ability

H - Task Difficulty

I - Effort

J - Luck

How was a third dimension added to Attribution Theory

Controllability

This dimension looks at whether the sports outcome is controllable or incontrollable

What is the controllable category in Attribution Theory

Effort

Using Attribution theory how do coaches increase motivation

To increase success coaches praise controllable factors (effort) when success has occurred, but also punish controllable factors (effort) when failure has occurred

Using Attribution theory how don’t coaches increase motivation

Focusing praise on uncontrollable factors doesn' raise motivation, confidence, or increase success as these are factors outside of the performers control.

How can Attribution Theory be linked to Achievement motivation (NACH + NAF)

Define learned helplessness

The belief that overtime you have no control over the events + therefore failure is inevitable, causing feelings of hopelessness

What is an example of learned helplessness

• Golfer hasn’t been able to drive accurately for the last 3 competitions

• Enters the next competition expecting the same

• The attitude reflects in the performance + the golfer has lost the competition before stepping to tee

In this situation the coach needs to break the cycle + help the golfer boost their self confidence

Define self-confidence

A person’s belief that they have the ability to meet the demand of the sport/activity

What are the expectations of high self efficacy athletes

More likely to pursue challenging goals, cope with pain + persevere through setback