Sports Psych

objectives of sports psychology

how does sports influence mental well-being; how does our mental well-being influence our sport performances

3 main roles of sports psych professionals

conducting research, teaching, consulting

Clinical sport psychologist

licensed psychologist, can treat and diagnose disorders

Educational sport psychology specialist

mental performance coach, training in sports science (kin), educate athletes about psychological skills

personality

characteristics that make a person unique

structure of personality

psychological core, typical responses, role-related behavior

interactional approach to personality

behavior is determined by both persona and situation and their interaction

trait

typical style of behavior, fixed

state

situation’s effect on behavior, changing from moment to moment

sport specific trait tests predict ____

sport behavior better than general trait measures

motivation

direction and intensity of effort

interactional view of motivation

motivated behavior results from the interaction between individual and situational factors

achievement motivation

person’s desire to master a task, achieve excellence, overcome obstacles, perform better, and take pride in accomplishment

competitiveness

striving for satisfaction when making comparisons to a standard of excellence in presence of evaluative others

Ego goal orientation

comparing your performance to others; difficulty maintaining perceived competence; more likely to give up

Task goal orientation

improving relative to one’s own past performances; persistence; more control; no fear of failure; easier to feel good

Competence motivation theory

perceptions of competence and control determine whether individuals will strive for achievement

Self Determination Theory

extent that behaviors are taken willingly as opposed to being controlled by an external agent or contingency

intrinsic motivation

behaviors we engage in because of interest and enjoyment

extrinsic motivation

behaviors we engage in to attain rewards or outcomes that lie outside the activity itself

Amotivation

non-self-determined: absence of motivation

External regulation

non-self determined: fulfilling external demand, achieve reward, or avoid punishment

Introjected regulation

non-self-determined; avoiding negative emotions

Identified regulation

self-determined; behaviors linked to personal goals and values

Integrated regulation

self-determined; behavior consistent with personal identity

Intrinsic regulation

self-determined; activities you find enjoyable, interesting, self rewarding

basic psychological needs

competence, autonomy, relatedness

Competence

feeling effective and capable of undertaking a challenge

Autonomy

feeling one has a choice and is in control of their own behavior

Relatedness

feeling meaningful connections with others 

Components of Autonomy Supportive Coaching

autonomy support, structure, involvement

Types of Intrinsic motivation

knowledge, accomplishment, stimulation

harmonious passion

activity occupies important but not overwhelming space in one’s identity

Obsessive passion

uncontrollable desire to participate in activity; person becomes controlled by activity

process of developing passion

activity selection, activity valuation, type of internalization

essential elements of flow

high level of challenge, high level of skills

Flow state

intrinsically rewarding experience; characterized by complete absorption, effortless execution, etc.

Clutch state

increased maximal effort to achieve an outcome, high levels of intensity and excitement

how to achieve flow

balance goals and skills, achieve optimal arousal, stay in present, competitive plans and preparation, physical preparation

how to prevent flow

non-optimal physical and competitive prep, non-optimal environment, lack of confidence, no motivation, inappropriate focus

stress

experience produced through person-situation relationship that’s perceived as taxing or exceeding person’s resources

stress response

physiological, cognitive, affective, behavioral reactions when we are faced with heavy demands

stressors

external events, forces, and situations that are interpreted as stressful

appraisal process

situation → person → primary appraisal → secondary appraisal → action/coping

primary appraisal

evaluation of what’s at stake for a person in a situation

secondary appraisal

evaluation of what can be done in the situation

harm/loss appraisal

psychological damage has been done and the loss is irrevocable

threat appraisal

anticipation of harm that might occur

challenge appraisal

there are obstacles in the way, but they can be overcome

anxiety

negative emotional state characterized by nervousness, worry, apprehension

arousal

blend of physiological and psychological activity in a person, intensity dimensions of motivation at a particular moment

State anxiety

changing mood state

Cognitive anxiety

anxious thoughts

Somatic anxiety

physical reactions

Trait anxiety

predisposition to perceive a wide range of circumstances as dangerous

Individual Zones of Optimal Functioning

each athlete has an optimal zone of state anxiety in which they perform their best

How does anxiety influence performance?

increased arousal and anxiety = muscle tension, fatigue, coordination difficulties

Facilitative

superior performance, high perception of control

Debilitative

perceived lack of control

problem focused coping

efforts help person change actual situation

emotion focused coping

efforts change way situation is interpreted, to deal with emotions that arise

Avoidance coping

efforts to remove themselves from stressful situation

6 Dimensions of Well-Being

Self-acceptance, positive relation to others, autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, purpose in life

predictors of mental illness in athletes

injury, stress, pressure, retirement, abuse

stress-injury relationship

athletes with higher stress levels in life are at higher risk of injury

how does exercise enhance well-being?

increase cerebral flow; reduction of muscle tension; increased VO2 max; enhanced feelings of control; positive social interactions; improved self esteem; opportunities for fun and enjoyment

Psychological reactions to injury

emotional responses, identity loss, fear and anxiety, lack of confidence, performance decrements

emotional responses to injury

injury-relevant information processing; emotional upheaval and reactive behaviors; positive outlook, coping

injury and illness phase

help athlete deal with emotional upheaval

rehab and recovery phase

help athlete sustain motivation and adhere to rehab protocols

return to activity phase

athlete reaches normal functioning within sport

characteristics of burnout

exhaustion, depersonalization and devaluation, feelings of low personal accomplishment