Personality

Question 1

What is personality?

Answer 1

• Definition: a unique psychological make up.
• Coaches need to understand an athletes personality in order to get the best out of them.
• Some psychologists argue that personality characteristics are innate, others argue they are learned. This is the nature vs nurture debate.

Question 2

Personality traits: extroverts

Answer 2

• Outgoing
• Comfortable in other peoples company.
• Tend to prefer team sports
• Very confident
• Cope better with arousal
• Perform better under pressure
• Likes a challenge
• Enjoy responsibility

Question 3

Personality traits: introverts

Answer 3

• Shy/reserved
• Comfortable in own company.
• Tend to prefer individual sports.
• Don’t work well when over-aroused.
• Prefer activities that involve accuracy rather than force.

Question 4

Trait theory (nature)- features

Answer 4

• Believes that individuals are born with innate characteristics, called traits.
• These are determined genetically.
• These are deemed to be stable as they are permanent in differing situations.
• Behaviour is seen to be consistent.
• This theory therefore suggests that personality and behaviour can be predicted.

Question 5

Trait theory (nature)- A03

Answer 5

• Explains the biological role.
• Simple to understand.
• Measurable (personality test).
  But…
• Personalities/ behaviour can change with the situation/ environment.
• Trait theory does not consider that our personalities can be formed by experience.
• Individuals may consciously decide to structure their own personality.

Question 6

The Social learning approach

Answer 6

• Believes we learn our personality/ behaviours from other people, especially those we hold in high esteem (significant others, role models etc.)
• Personality traits are developed by associating with others (socialisation) and picking up their behaviours that are seen to be reinforced, successful and powerful.
• More likely to copy behaviour that is consistently shown to us (modelling).
• It changes according to the situation, so personality/ behaviour cannot be predicted.

Observe — Identify— Reinforce — Copy.

Question 7

The Social learning approach- A03

Answer 7

• Explains the influence of the environment.
• Gives control to coach/teacher (they can change behaviour).
  But….
• Completely disregards the genetical aspect to trait theory and that a person has a natural tendency to show specific behaviours in any given situation.
• Hard to measure the influence of learning/ change of behaviour.
• Some people never change.