personality

Question 1

According to Diane Gill, what is personality?

Answer 1

Personality is a unique psychological make-up.

Question 2

According to Hollander, what is personality?

Answer 2

Personality is the sum total of an individual’s characteristics which make a human unique.

Question 3

According to the notes, what four things make up personality?

Answer 3

The way we behave, our beliefs, our values – which together build into our character.

Question 4

Why is understanding performers’ personality useful for a coach?

Answer 4

It helps the coach plan suitable sessions, motivate performers, choose appropriate feedback and communication, and predict and manage behaviour before problems arise.

Question 5

Which approaches link to the ‘nature vs nurture’ debate in personality?

Answer 5

Nature: Trait theories (Eysenck, Cattell, Girdano). Nurture: Social learning approach (Bandura). Interactionist: Combines both (Lewin and Hollander).

Question 6

What is a trait in trait theory?

Answer 6

A single characteristic of personality, believed to be a natural force or instinct causing an individual to behave in a predicted way.

Question 7

What does trait theory propose about the origin of personality?

Answer 7

People are born with established personality characteristics that are inherited from parental genes; behaviour is innate and genetically programmed.

Question 8

How are traits described in trait theory?

Answer 8

Traits are stable, enduring and consistent in all situations, so behaviour is fixed and predictable.

Question 9

How is trait theory summarised as an equation?

Answer 9

Behaviour is a function of personality: B = F(P).

Question 10

Give one evaluation point (AO3) against trait theory.

Answer 10

Behaviour is not always predictable; people may adapt or change their behaviour to different environmental situations.

Question 11

Give a sporting example that challenges pure trait theory.

Answer 11

A footballer can be aggressive after being fouled but then calm and apologetic in a post‑match interview.

Question 12

Name two key trait theorists of personality mentioned in the notes.

Answer 12

Eysenck and Cattell (personality types) and Girdano (narrow band theory).

Question 13

What are Eysenck’s two main personality dimensions?

Answer 13

Extroversion–Introversion and Stable–Neurotic.

Question 14

What third dimension did Eysenck add to his personality theory?

Answer 14

Psychoticism or tough‑mindedness – the capacity to cope with competitive pressure, be determined and resilient, and return to competition after failure.

Question 15

What did Cattell develop based on Eysenck’s work?

Answer 15

The 16PF personality questionnaire, in which primary traits are divided into 16 personality factors that can be measured with a questionnaire.

Question 16

What is personality profiling?

Answer 16

Using tools like Cattell’s 16PF questionnaire to measure traits and build a profile of a person’s personality, which can help sport psychologists understand and support performers.

Question 17

What is Girdano’s theory of personality called and what does it propose?

Answer 17

Girdano’s narrow band theory proposes two distinct personality types: Type A and Type B.

Question 18

According to the social learning approach, how is personality mainly developed?

Answer 18

Personality is developed or learned through socialisation rather than being fixed by genes.

Question 19

What is socialisation in the context of personality?

Answer 19

The influence of our surroundings on how we think, behave, believe and value, shaped by factors like family, friends, coaches, media, culture and community.

Question 20

Give three social factors that can influence socialisation and personality development.

Answer 20

Examples include parents/family, friends/teammates, teachers/coaches, role models, media, religion, and local community.

Question 21

According to Bandura, through what basic process do we learn our behaviour and personality?

Answer 21

We observe others, identify with their behaviour, see their behaviour reinforced, and then copy or imitate that behaviour.

Question 22

When is behaviour more likely to be copied according to the social learning approach?

Answer 22

When it is reinforced (especially by a more knowledgeable other), when it is successful, shown consistently, seen live, the performer is motivated, and the model is the same gender.

Question 23

Give one evaluation point (AO3) against the social learning approach to personality.

Answer 23

It does not account for genetically inherited factors; some traits, like leadership, may not be easily learned. Also, copying dysfunctional role models can have a negative influence.

Question 24

What does the interactionist approach to personality suggest?

Answer 24

It combines trait and social learning theories, suggesting that behaviour is based on inherent traits that are then adapted to different situations.

Question 25

What is Lewin’s equation for the interactionist approach and what does it mean?

Answer 25

B = F(P × E) – behaviour is a function of the interaction between personality (P) and environment (E).

Question 26

Give a sporting example that illustrates the interactionist approach.

Answer 26

A games player might be a loud, dominant extrovert during a match to succeed but be quieter and more focused during a technical training session.

Question 27

According to Hollander, what are the three levels of personality structure?

Answer 27

Psychological core, typical responses and role‑related behaviour.

Question 28

What is the psychological core in Hollander’s model?

Answer 28

Your inner beliefs, values and behaviours (inherited traits). It is internal, deep‑rooted, stable and thought to be the ‘true you’.

Question 29

What are typical responses in Hollander’s model?

Answer 29

The usual way we behave in most situations; learned and changeable behaviours that reflect the psychological core and are modified as we respond to different situations.

Question 30

What is role‑related behaviour in Hollander’s model?

Answer 30

External, dynamic behaviour that changes to meet different roles and situations, such as behaving differently as a student, family member, or player in training.

Question 31

Why does the interactionist theory argue that behaviour can appear unpredictable?

Answer 31

Because behaviour results from interaction between stable traits and changing environments, so behaviour can adapt to suit each situation.

Question 32

How can knowledge of the interactionist approach help coaches?

Answer 32

Coaches can try to predict how players may respond in specific situations and plan or manage training, feedback and support to bring out desirable behaviours.

Question 33

In the rugby captain example, how does role‑related behaviour appear?

Answer 33

The captain leads by example, focuses teammates on goals, calms situations and shows respect to opponents and officials.

Question 34

In the rugby captain example, how can the psychological core be triggered?

Answer 34

Intense environmental pressure (e.g. repeated fouls and being punched) may trigger deep‑rooted aggressive traits, leading to a fight.

Question 35

Overall, why is the interactionist approach considered stronger than pure trait theory?

Answer 35

It accounts for changes in behaviour across situations by considering both inherited traits and environmental influences, making behaviour less but more realistically predictable.