SPORT PSYCHOLOGY

Unit 17 Student Name: Unit Tutor: James Barraclough

P1

P2

P3

P4

P5

P6

P7

M1

M2

M3

M4

D1

D2

D3

Unit number and title Qualification Hand-out date Hand-in date Assessor Assignment title

17. SPORT PSYCHOLOGY BTEC NATIONAL EXTENDED DIPLOMA IN SPORT YEAR 20th September 2013 4th October 2013 JAMES BARRACLOUGH 1. Effects of personality and motivation on sports performance

The purpose of this assignment is to: Personality/motivation and the potential effects they can have on sports participation and performance have been of interest to researchers since the late 1800s. However, evidence on whether they affect sports performance is still fairly limited and inconclusive. This assignment looks at some of the definitions and theories. Scenario: You are a (trainee) sport psychology consultant. This sometimes requires you to work with athletes directly to improve performance and sometimes to research information (e.g. to publish research in journals/write blogs to educate the public). You have been asked by the British Association of Sport & Exercise Science (BASES) to write an academic essay to include in their next journal article. It should follow the following structure: introduction (including what you plan to discuss), a section on each subject (personality and effects on performance; motivation and effects on performance; what you might do as a sport psychologist to improve motivation; and whether or not you believe the theories to be correct based on the available evidence). This is to between 1,000 and 3,000 word essay. Ensure you reference and proof read. Part 1: Personality Define personality. Theories of personality: Martens schematic view Psychodynamic theory Trait theory Situational approach Interactional approach Personality types (type A and type B) You then need to describe how personality might affect sports performance including: Athletes vs non-athletes Individual vs team sports Elite vs non-elite athletes Type A vs type B

Perfectionist/OCD

Part 2: Motivation Describe motivation including types (intrinsic and extrinsic) Theories of motivation: Achievement motivation Attribution theory You then need to describe how motivation might affect sports performance: Positive Negative Future expectations of success and failure How can a motivational climate be developed? (TARGET - tasks, authority, reward, grouping, evaluation, timing) (P2) Explain (give reasons for) the effects of personality and motivation on sports performance (M1) Evaluate the effects of personality and motivation on sports performance (i.e. is there an effect?) (D1) This brief has been verified as being fit for purpose
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(P1)

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Unit number and title Qualification Hand-out date Hand-in date Assessor Assignment title

17. SPORT PSYCHOLOGY BTEC NATIONAL EXTENDED DIPLOMA IN SPORT 11th October 2013 8th November 2013 JAMES BARRACLOUGH 2. Relationship between stress, anxiety, arousal and sports performance

The purpose of this assignment is to: Stress in sport can have negative and positive effects. It can also affect levels of anxiety (nerves) and arousal (alertness). This assignment looks at definitions of these factors. Scenario: Your next task is to write a blog for a prominent sport psychology website on the potential effects of personality on an athletes performance. Your blog should include pictures/diagrams and hyperlinks to video clips where possible. You have been asked to write a blog (in two parts) including the following information: Describe stress: Definition Types (eustress and distress) Causes (internal, external, personal, occupational, sports environments) Symptoms (cognitive, somatic and behavioural) Effects on sports performance (nervous system responses, negative mental state, loss of self-confidence and concentration) Describe anxiety Definition Types (state and trait anxiety) Cause (negative effect of stress) Symptoms (cognitive, somatic and behavioural)

Effects on sports performance (negative mental state, loss of self-confidence and decreased expectations of success, fear of failure)

Describe arousal: Definition Theories e.g. inverted U hypothesis, catastrophe theory, individual zones of optimal functioning

(P3)

Effects on sports performance (improvements/decreases in performance, changes in attention, increases in anxiety levels, choking)

Explain (gives reasons for) the three theories of arousal and the effect on sports performance

(P4)

(M2)

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Unit number and title Qualification Hand-out date Hand-in date Assessor Assignment title

17. SPORT PSYCHOLOGY BTEC NATIONAL EXTENDED DIPLOMA IN SPORT 15th November 2013 6th December 2013 JAMES BARRACLOUGH 3. Group dynamics in team sports

The purpose of this assignment is to: Groups and teams exist in all walks of life and especially in sport not only team sports, but individual ones as well (individual athletes have support teams behind them). This unit looks at the differences between groups and teams. It also looks at how group processes can be improved including input from a leadership figure. Scenario: Your next work project is with a group of coaches from Manchester Uniteds academy. You need to give a presentation to show how processes in groups and teams can affect performance and cohesion. You also need to give them advice on how their behaviour as coaches can influence behaviour in negative and positive ways. Use examples from case studies where you can. Task 1 : PRESENTATION: Identify factors which influence group dynamics and performance in team sports: Group processes: Difference between groups or teams Interactive and coactive groups Stages of group development (forming, storming, norming and performing) Steiners model of group effectiveness Ringelmann effect, social loafing Cohesion: Definition e.g. task and social cohesion Creating an effective team climate Factors affecting cohesion e.g. personal, leadership and team factors Relationship between cohesion and performance Leadership: Prescribed vs emergent leaders Theories of leadership e.g. trait approach, behavioural approach, interactional approach, multidimensional model

Styles e.g. autocratic, democratic, laissez-faire

(P5)
Explain (give reasons for) four factors which influence group dynamics and performance in team sports

(M3)
Analyse (strengths and weaknesses of) four factors which influence group dynamics and performance in team sports

(D2)
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17. SPORT PSYCHOLOGY BTEC NATIONAL EXTENDED DIPLOMA IN SPORT 13th December 2013

Hand-in date Assessor Assignment title

17th January 2014 JAMES BARRACLOUGH 4. Plan a psychological skills training programme to enhance sports performance

The purpose of this assignment is to: Now that some background has been given on psychological factors in sport, this assignment is concerned with devising and implementing a Psychological Skills Training (PST) programme. This will involve a needs analysis: identifying areas for improvement and prescribing psychological practices (interventions) to develop these areas. Scenario: You have been hired by Sport England to work with their Talented Athletes Programme. Choose a sport and select an athlete, this can include an athlete from an individual or team sport. Build a portfolio for your athlete that includes the following sections: assessment; planning; psychological skills (using Thomas 7-phase model); review. The programme will culminate in your clients participating in a national competition at the end of week 6. You will need to put together a portfolio to: Identify the demands of the sport (ALL 4 corners) Assess the needs of your athlete, identifying strengths and areas for improvement(ALL 4 corners) through: o Pre-competition questionnaire o Performance profiling (P6) Once you have identified strengths and areas for improvement you must formulate a six-week psychological skills training programme to enhance performance including: Current situation Aims and objectives with action plan Daily and weekly content of the plan (linked to periodised short, medium and long-term SMART goals) Psychological skills appropriate for each area for improvement (ALL 4 corners) e.g.: o Goal-setting (link to pre-competition plan and daily/weekly content above) o Arousal control e.g. progressive muscular relaxation, breathing control (centering), psyching up techniques o Imagery e.g. mental rehearsal, controlling emotions o Pre-performance routines o Self-talk/positive thinking (P7) Explain (give reasons for) the design of the six-week psychological skills training programme for a selected sports performer including a review of how successful your client thought the programme was (this can be done from postperformance questionnaires and performance profiling)

(M4)
Justify the design of the six-week psychological skills training programme for a selected sports performer, making suggestions for improvement (what can be done better next time)

(D3)

This brief has been verified as being fit for purpose

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Indicative reading for learners

Textbooks

Adams M et al BTEC Level 3 National Sport Student Book 1 (Pearson, 2010) Coyle, D (2010) The Talent Code; Arrow Books Carron A, Hausenblas C, (2005) Group dynamics in sport: FIT Inc USA Dweck, C (2012) Mindset, how you can fulfil your potential; Ballantine Books Grout, J & Perrin S (2006) Mind Games: Inspirational Lessons from the World's Finest Sports Stars; Wiley Hardy L, Jones G and Gould G (1996) Understanding psychological preparation for sport: Wiley
Journals Journal of applied sport psychology Journal of Sport Science Free journal access: http://explore.tandfonline.com/content/pgas/acsm Websites www.brianmac.co.uk www.pponline.co.uk www.athleticinsight.com www.thesportinmind.com http://elitesportconsulting.wordpress.com/