Personality…
Mr P. Leighton
Sports Psychology
Y13 Lesson 1
Today’s Session…



Discuss what we remember from last
years introduction to personality…
Look at the 3 perspectives to
personality- which one do you subscribe
to?
Understand the key terms and theories
which will be noted in the session…
Personality then…


Everyone displays their own unique
patterns of behaviour- from the 100M
runners preparation for a race to 2
children playing catch.
Participation in different sporting events
depends on your personality.
What the Theorists say…
Personality is…“What a man really is… not what he
appears to be” (Allport and Whiting)
Personality is…“The sum total of an individuals
characteristics which make a human unique”
(Hollander)
“Personality represents those characteristics of the
person that account for consistent patterns of
behaviour” (Pervin, 1993)
The 3 major views on
personality development are…

Trait Perspective

Social Learning Perspective

Interactionist Approach
Trait Perspective (B=F(P))




Personality is made up of different
SECONDARY traits inherited from parental
genes.
Behaviour is genetically innate and
programmed.
People can be naturally inclined to be more
ambitious, competitive or aggressive.
Traits are stable, enduring and consistent in all
situations…
Trait theory in sport…
Graham Hill



Formula 1 Driver.
Aggressive driving
style.
World Champion.
Damon Hill



Formula 1 Driver.
Aggressive driving
style
World Champion.
Problems with Trait Theory…



Behaviour is not always predictable.
It does not account for peoples
responses to different environmental
situations.
It also doesn’t account for peoples
adaptability in situations.
Eysenck’s 4 personality traits…
Personality Type
Description or Characteristics
Extrovert
Affiliate
well to other people
Outgoing, gregarious and Sociable
Become aroused more slowly than introverts
Low sensitivity to the RAS
Introvert
Shy
Neurotic

Stable

and Reserved
Prefer isolation to social situations
Become aroused quicker than extroverts
High sensitivity to the RAS
Extreme unpredictable emotions (mood swings)
Unreliable moods
High degrees of stress
Slow to recover from stress
Predictable in their emotions in appropriate situations
Predictable moods
Low degrees of stress
Rapid recovery from stress
Personality Types
(Eysenck).

Eysenck proposed that personality could
only be…
• Extrovert and Stable
• Extrovert and Neurotic
• Introvert and Stable
• Introvert and Neurotic
He also added a 3rd dimension to his personality
model called Psychoticism, a term which
helps define how tender or tough minded
people are.
Reticular Activating System
(RAS).



Introverts are more easily aroused than
extroverts.
This is because of a sensitivity in an
area of the brain called the Reticular
Activating System.
There is a greater likelihood then that
introverts can become over-aroused.
Personality Types
(Cattell).


Cattell questioned whether personality
could be understood by examining just 3
dimensions.
Cattell, therefore, proposed that
examining 16 personality factors in a
questionnaire.
• www.heinemann.co.uk/hotlinks
• Express code: 6855P
Narrow Band Theory
(Girdano).

Girdano proposed that there are only 2 distinct
personality types…
Type A
Highly competitive.
Works fast.
Strong desire to
succeed.
Likes control.
Prone to suffer stress.
Type B
Non-competitive.
Works slowly.
Lacks a desire to
succeed.
Doesn’t like control.
Less prone to stress.
Social Learning Theory.
(B=F(E))



Social learning theory is a direct contrast
to trait theory.
All behaviour is learned.
Learning occurs by way of environmental
experiences and through other people.
Social Learning Theory.
(Bandura)

Bandura believed learning was
stimulated by environmental experiences
such as…
• The behaviour of others being imitated
•
through observation.
New behaviour being acquired after
observation, but only when it is endorsed
through social reinforcement.
SLT in sport- Athletics.



Certain athletes have the
opportunity and privilege
to train world champions.
Behaviours can be
copied by the novices
and desired behaviour
receives positive
feedback.
The process of
vicarious experiences
and reinforcement
facilitates behaviour.
Conditions that support
Social Learning…
Observer behaviour
is demonstrated by
a significant other
i.e. Role Model.
The observer and
role model are the
same gender.
Conditions that support
Social Learning.
Role model is powerful
and authoritative.
Observer wants to adopt
the norms and values
of a new culture.
i.e. after joining a
New team.
So what are the problems with
Social Learning Theory?
Interactionist Approach- Work
for you…


Read page 201203 making notes
similar to the ones
in the slideshow.
Have this ready
for next weeks
lesson.