Psychological Measurements in Sports and Exercise Chapter 12 Psychological Measurements in Sports and Exercise Robert S. Weinberg Miami University Chapter 12 illustrates a variety of tests/instruments in the affective/psychological domain. Measurement issues are central to the use and interpretation of test results in this domain. Chapter 14

Affective/Psychological Domain Trait versus state General versus sport specific Dimensionality Uni-dimensional Multi-dimensional Measurement in the affective domain causes one to consider the differentiation of trait and state characteristics; the usefulness of general vs. sport specific instruments; and the dimensionality of the underlying characteristic being measured. Most psychological characteristics are not uni-dimensional but multi-dimensional in nature. Chapter 14

Cautions Measurement errors One's own knowledge Team selection Test purpose Participant feedback Measurement in the affective domain carries specific cautions with it. Recall that no measure is without error. Do you have the ability to use and interpret such instruments? Should affective domain instruments be used for team selection? What is the exact purpose of the test, how will it be used and to whom will the results be reported? Participants should always be fully informed of the nature and the use of tests in the affective domain. Participants should always be informed of their results and have the results clearly explained to them by a professional. Chapter 14

Measurement in the Affective Domain Qualitative Quantitative Interviews Likert Observation Semantic differential Qualitative measures result in words. Quantitative measures typically result in a number of some sort. Chapter 14

Table 12.2 Examples of Scaled Responses 3 4 5 Never Sometimes Often Frequently Always Strongly agree Agree No opinion Disagree Strongly disagree 6 7 8 9 10 11 Not important at all Extremely important These are examples of various scaled responses. Note the number of levels and the poor degree to which specific numerical values are defined in terms of behavior. Chapter 14

Table 12.3 Semantic Differential Scales for Measuring Attitudes Toward Physical Activity Good __ Bad Pleasant Unpleasant Relaxed Tense Hot Cold Healthy Unhealthy Nice Awful Delicate Rugged Active Passive Bi-polar adjectives are used with the semantic differential to assess beliefs, feelings, etc. in the affective domain. Chapter 14

Semantic Differential Evaluation Pleasant Unpleasant Fair Unfair Honest Dishonest Good Bad Successful Unsuccessful Useful Useless The semantic differential is multidimensional in nature. It assesses three different aspects of the concept or construct being evaluated (evaluation: is something “good or bad”; potency: how strongly is the concept to construct reflected in the respondent; and activity: the static or dynamic nature of the perception associated with the concept or construct being evaluated). Chapter 14

Semantic Differential Potency Strong Weak Hard Soft Heavy Light Dominant Submissive Rugged Delicate Dirty Clean Potency is the second dimension measured by the semantic differential. Chapter 14

Semantic Differential Activity Steady Nervous Happy Sad Active Passive Dynamic Static Stationary Moving Fast Slow Activity is the third dimension measured by the semantic differential. Chapter 14

Scales Used in Sport and Exercise Psychology Sport Competition Anxiety Scale Competitive State Anxiety Inventory - 2 Attitudes Toward Physical Activity Children's Attitude Toward Physical Activity Physical Estimation and Attraction Scale Trait and State Sport Confidence Inventories Group Environment Questionnaire These are sport specific tests used in sport and exercise psychology. Chapter 14

Kenyon’s Attitude Toward Physical Activity (ATPA) Social experience Health and fitness Pursuit of vertigo Aesthetic experience Catharsis Ascetic experience Kenyon’s ATPA is a good example of a multidimensional construct. Attitude toward physical activity is not uni-dimensional. Individuals engage in physical activity for a variety of different reasons. The ATPA attempts to tap into these different reasons. Though nearly 40 years old, Kenyon’s ATPA is an excellent example of the multidimensionality of an instrument. Chapter 14

General Psychological Scales Used in Sport and Exercise Self-Motivation Inventory Profile of Mood States Test of Attentional and Interpersonal Style These are general psychological scales that have usefulness in sport and exercise psychology. Chapter 14

Stages of Change for Exercise and Physical Activity Precontemplation No intention to change behavior Contemplation Intention to change behavior Preparation Preparing for action Action Involved in behavior change Maintenance Sustain behavior change Stages of change for exercise and physical activity come from the transtheoretical model for assessing readiness to change behavior. The behavior could be physical activity, brushing one’s teeth, wearing seat belts, wearing a motorcycle helmet; etc. Regardless, it is best to identify one’s level of motivation for change so that specific interventions can be directed at the individuals within these stages of readiness. Chapter 14

Big Issue in Psychological Testing Reliability & Validity As in all testing, measurement, and evaluation, reliability and validity are essentially important. Chapter 14