Sport Psychology, Motivation and Performance
Sport Psychology, Motivation and Performance
Sport psychology examines psychological factors influencing participation and performance. Candidates must understand motivation: intrinsic versus extrinsic, and how extrinsic rewards can undermine intrinsic motivation. Know achievement motivation and goal orientation (task versus ego), plus self-determination theory needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness. Understand goal setting: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound, with process, performance and outcome goals; process goals are most controllable. Study arousal and anxiety: trait versus state, cognitive versus somatic anxiety, and theories including drive theory, inverted-U hypothesis, individual zones of optimal functioning and catastrophe theory. Know self-confidence and self-efficacy sources (mastery experiences, vicarious experience, verbal persuasion, physiological state). Understand attentional focus (broad-narrow, internal-external), imagery, self-talk, pre-performance routines and choking under pressure.
Traps
Treating the inverted-U as universal (optimal arousal varies by task and individual); assuming high arousal always harms performance; confusing self-confidence with self-efficacy; and thinking all extrinsic motivation is harmful. Another trap is confusing state and trait anxiety, or treating ego orientation as always negative.
Worked example
A shooter performs poorly in finals despite strong practice. Analysis: cognitive anxiety rises, attention narrows inappropriately, and a routine is lost. Intervention: a consistent pre-shot routine, cue words, controlled breathing to manage somatic anxiety, and imagery of successful execution. Rule of thumb: for fine, complex skills, lower arousal usually helps; for gross, simple skills, moderate to high arousal can help.
Rule of thumb
Match arousal regulation to the task's complexity and the athlete's individual zone.