Unit 9 – Psychology and Sports
1. Personality
Definition:
Personality is the sum total of characteristics, traits, and behavior patterns that make a
person unique. It includes thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and habits.
Types of Personality (Theories)
1. Sheldon’s Theory (Somatotypes):
Endomorph → Soft, round, sociable, relaxed.
Mesomorph → Muscular, strong, active, aggressive, courageous.
Ectomorph → Thin, introvert, thoughtful, self-conscious.
2. Carl Jung’s Theory:
Introvert → Shy, reserved, prefer solitude, self-focused.
Extrovert → Outgoing, social, action-oriented, talkative.
Ambivert → Balanced mix of introvert and extrovert qualities.
3. Big Five Personality Theory (OCEAN):
O – Openness → Imaginative, curious.
C – Conscientiousness → Organized, responsible.
E – Extraversion → Energetic, social.
A – Agreeableness → Cooperative, kind.
N – Neuroticism → Emotional stability vs. anxiety.
2. Motivation
Definition: An internal force that initiates, directs, and sustains human behavior toward
achieving goals.
Types of Motivation:
1. Intrinsic Motivation → Comes from within (self-desire, enjoyment, personal
satisfaction).
2. Extrinsic Motivation → Comes from outside (rewards, medals, money, recognition).
Techniques of Motivation:
Goal setting.
Rewards and incentives.
Praise and encouragement.
Competition and challenge.
Positive reinforcement.
Feedback and guidance.
3. Exercise Adherence
Definition: The ability to stick to a regular exercise schedule.
Reasons:
Fitness and health improvement.
Weight management.
Stress relief.
Social interaction.
Achievement and self-confidence.
Benefits:
Better physical health (strength, stamina).
Improved mental health (reduced stress, anxiety).
Long-term lifestyle changes.
Positive habits and discipline.
Strategies for Enhancing Adherence:
Set realistic goals.
Keep a record (log book).
Choose enjoyable activities.
Exercise with friends/groups.
Self-monitoring and motivation.
Professional guidance.
4. Aggression in Sports
Meaning: Aggression is an intentional behavior aimed at dominating or harming another
person in sports.
Concept:
Aggression can be both positive (assertive play, high energy) and negative (violence, rule
breaking).
Types of Aggression:
1. Hostile Aggression → Intent to harm opponent.
2. Instrumental Aggression → Used as a means to achieve a goal (e.g., hard tackle in
football).
3. Assertive Behavior → Legitimate force within rules, not meant to harm.
5. Psychological Attributes in Sports
1. Self-Esteem → Confidence in one’s own worth and ability. High self-esteem improves
performance.
2. Mental Imagery (Visualization) → Creating images in the mind of successful
performance before actual play.
3. Self-Talk → Positive internal dialogue to boost confidence and reduce anxiety.
4. Goal Setting → Setting short-term and long-term realistic goals to improve focus,
motivation, and performance.