What Is Personality?

1
What IsPersonality?
The characteristics or blend of characteristics
that make a person unique.
2
What Makes Up Personality?
3
Psychological Core
The most basic and deepest attitudes, values,
interests, motives, and self-worth of a
personthe real person.
Example A persons religious values
4
Typical Responses
The way one typically adjusts or responds to the
environment.
Example Being happy-go-lucky, shy
5
RoleRelated Behavior
How one acts in a particular social situation.
Example Behavior as a student, parent, or friend
6
Psychodynamic Approach
Behavior is determined by a number of
unconscious, constantly changing factors that
often conflict with one another. Emphasis is
placed on understanding the person as a whole,
rather than identifying isolated traits.
7
Trait Approach
Behavior is determined by relatively stable
traits that are fundamental units of personality.
These traits predispose one to act in a certain
way, regardless of the situation.
8
Situational Approach
Behavior is determined largely by the situation
or environment.
9
Interactional Approach
Behavior is determined by both the person and the
situational factors, as well as by their
interaction.
10
Research Support The Bottom Line
Interactionalapproach
Current impact. Considerable influence adopted
by most contemporary sport psychologists.
Weakness. None.
Contribution. Emphasizes the consideration of
both trait and situational variables and their
interaction.
11
Measuring Personality
Traits Versus States
Measure both traits and states.
Trait is a typical style of behavior.
State is the situations effects on behaviora
right now feeling that can change from moment
to moment.
12
Measuring Personality
General Versus Situation (Sport) Specific
Measures
Situation-specific trait tests predict behavior
more accurately than do general trait measures.
It is often more effective to compare personality
test scores relative to an individuals own
previous test results than with group norms.
13
Selected Findings in Personality Research
Some relationship exists between personality
traits and states and sport performance, but it
is far from perfect or precise.
No single definitive personality profile has
been found that consistently distinguishes
athletes from nonathletes.
Few personality differences are evident between
male and female athletes.
(continued)
14
The Iceberg Profile
15
The Iceberg Profile
16
Selected Findings in Personality Research
Type-A behavior patterns (particularly the
anger-hostility component) are associated with
cardiovascular disease and appear to be altered
via exercise.
Exercise and increased fitness appear to be
associated with increases in self-esteem,
especially in low self-esteem individuals.
17
Cognitive Strategies and Athletic Success
Using positive imagery and thought
Exercising commitment and determination
Setting goals
Well-developed plans
Well-developed coping strategies
18
Implications for Athletic Trainers
Get to know your athletes before they become
injured but if this is not possible, gather
behavioral data from the individual and others
who are familiar with them Realize that
individuals react differently in various
situations Vast changes from typical behavior
should be noted Intervene and make referrals
when necessary