Personality

Individual Differences

• Personality - (central to sports psychology - everything is related to personality and situation)
• Definitions:
• Unique expression of self (Cox)
• The pattern of psychological characteristics that make a person unique (Gill)

Personality Theories

• Trait Theory
• Personality is predetermined by genetics
• Social Learning Theory
• Observe and copy behaviour of others that has been reinforced
• Interactionist Theory
• Interaction of genetics and the environment

Trait Theory

• Key Points:
• Inherited / innate / genetic
• Your natural inclination
• Stable - respond in ALL situations
• Enduring - therefore predictable and measurable
• Behaviour = function of personality (B=F(P))
• Tested by Eysenck Personality Questionnaire
• Two dimensions
• Extraversion ----------------- Introversion
• Neuroticism ------------------ Stability
• 60 Yes/No Questions
• Both levelled from 1 - 24

Slide 4

• Extrovert
• Tend to be outgoing therefore suited to team games
• Confident with others
• Have a RAS (Reticular Activating System) which is low in sensitivity
• Therefore become aroused slowly
• E.g. team players, Freddie Flintoff (cricketer)
• Introvert
• Inward focus therefore suited to individual sports
• Prefer isolation
• Lack confidence when in social groups
• High sensitive to RAS
• Therefore become aroused quickly
• E.g. Andy Murray (tennis)
• Stable
• Tend to have a predictable temperament
• Consistent moods
• Appear calm and relaxed
• Low anxiety
• Realistic and logical
• E.g. Any sports person such as Jessica Ennis
• Unstable (neurotic)
• Unpredictable in temperament
• Not ideal for sports participation
• Moods inconsistent
• Prone to worry and high anxiety
• Unrealistic or illogical perception of a situation
• E.g. Luis Suárez (footballer)

Cattell - Cattell's 16PF

• 16 Personality Factors
• Personality is more dynamic than Eysenck suggested
• 180 questions and you rank yourself from 1 to 5
• Presented different profiles for different sports
• Doesn't take into account different situations
• 

Girdano - Narrow Band Approach

• May or may not be linked to introvert and extrovert
• Type A
• Tends to be highly aroused
• Prone to excessive anxiety and stress
• Impatient with others
• Works fast, ambitious and needs to succeed
• Tendency towards aggression and frustration
• Highly competitive
• Likes to be in control, finds it hard to delegate
• E.G. coach may dispute refs decision
• Type B
• Keeps arousal low
• Can relax and subdue anxiety
• Tolerant, methodical and calm
• Cool under pressure
• Passive
• Less competitive
• Delegates easily
• E.G. Athlete is able to stay relaxed before an event

Social Learning Theory

• Theorist - Bandura
• Links - theories of learning
• Key Points:
• All behaviour is learnt from the environment
• This is through a process of socialisation (behavioural norms of society)
• We learn from significant others
• Including family; peers; role models; culture; media etc.
• Behaviour is more likely to occur if it is reinforced
• Personality is therefore predictable if same situation reoccurs
• Behaviour = function of environment - (B=f(E))

Interactionist Theory

• Theorist - Hollander
• Key Points
• Genetic traits are triggered by the environment
• Therefore behaviour changes to demands of situation
• It explains how behaviour is unpredictable
• Could be said to be a combination of trait and social learning theories - have to explain trait & social learning theories for a question on this
• Behaviour = function (Personality, Environment) (B=f(P,E))

Hollanders Model

• 
• Psychological Core -
• This is your true self, genetic traits and inner beliefs and values
• E.g. Sportsman has an innate belief in fair play
• Typical Response -
• How you would generally behave in the vast majority of situations
• E.g. If someone genuinely annoys them they turn the other cheek
• Role Related Behaviour -
• The ROLE we adopt in a specific situation, maybe an official role or merely when we cross 'the white line'
• E.g. in a game however, if there is a bad tackle the performer may retaliate