Personality 1.2 Theories

Today’s Objectives By the end of the session all learners will have: Developed own interpretation of trait theory through discussions in small groups based around Eysenck’s theory Identified at least 5 evaluation points of the theory Considered the application of the theory to the area of sport Developed own interpretation of the relevance the measure of personality and theory has to sport using the key study of Kroll & Crenshaw ~ small group discussion to support own interpretation Identified at least 5 evaluation points of the key study Considered the application of personality to the area of sport drawing on all 3 studies Some learners will have: Lead a discussion in small groups Contributed small groups ideas to class discussion Identified more than 5 evaluation points

Who is Eysenck??! Primarily based on physiology and genetics Eysenck was a behaviourist ~ learned habits important Considers personality differences as growing out of our genetic inheritance Primarily interested in what is usually called temperament ~ the aspect of our personalities that is genetically based, inborn, there from birth or even before. Does not mean that a temperament theory says we don't also have aspects of our personality that are learned, Eysenck focused on "nature," and left "nurture" to other theorists

Eysenck ~ Background Two dimensions of a personality Extroversion (positive, how outgoing or self contained a person is) Neuroticism (negative, stable or unstable a person is) Later added a third… Psychoticism (aggression, mental instability)

Background cont. Based on factor analysis Developed a hierarchical taxonomy Superfactors ~ Dimensions of extroversion, neuroticism, psychoticism Factors ~ that you a sociable Habits ~ preferring to revise with peers Behaviour ~ revising for an exam

Biological basis of Eysenck’s Trait Theory Read the booklets and make notes in relation to the biological basis of the theory Main points …. RAS monitors arousal Extrovert = under aroused, gets bored, seeks stimulation to maintain good level of activation Louder, more outgoing, attention seeking, lack concentration Opposite for introverted ANS responds to emotion- producing stimuli Neurotic = rapid and strong response to stress Low anxiety, anxious, moody, restless, fight or flight in small stressful situations – easily upset Opposite for stable Testosterone affects psychoticism ~ justifying aggression and psychotic episodes

Eysenck’s Trait Theory In small groups, consider what sports you may find specific individuals with 1 of the 4 personality traits

Evaluation of the Theory What are some strengths to this theory? Reliable? Valid? What are some weaknesses? Useful? Generalizable?

Question: Why did she kill her sister? Are you a Psychopath???! This is a story about a girl. While at the funeral of her own mother, she met a guy whom she did not know. She thought this guy was amazing, so much the dream guy that she was searching for that she fell in love with him immediately. However, she never asked for his name or number and afterward could not find anyone who knew who he was. A few days later the girl killed her own sister. Question: Why did she kill her sister?

Answer… If the first answer that springs to your mind is some variation of jealousy and revenge – she discovers her sister has been seeing the man behind her back – then you are in the clear. But if your first response to this puzzle is "because she was hoping the man would turn up to her sister's funeral as well", then by some accounts you have the qualities that might qualify you to be a cold-blooded killer! Same qualities: an absence of emotion in decision making, a cold focus on outcomes, an extremely ruthless and egocentric logic – which tend to show up in disproportionate degrees in all those individuals. So…. If you answered this correctly, you think like a psychopath!!

1.3 Relevance Are some personalities more likely to be successful in sport that others? Why? Are some more suited to certain sports than others? ??? Introverts ~ solo sports (long distance running) ??? Extroverts ~ high energy (rugby)

One theory is that there are people that are naturally athletic Credulous – sceptical argument = the debate that the impact of personality has on sports performance Credulous = athletic performance CAN be predicted from personality / personality traits Sceptical = athletic performance CAN NOT be predicted from personality profiles Research that supports this …. Cox (2000) personality is ONE factor that contributes to success Schurr et al. (1997), Hardman (1973), Cooper (1969) athletes DO have different personalities than non-athletes (e.g independent and less anxious, more self confidence) What came first though????!!! Williams and Parkin (1980) used Cattell’s 16PF compared personality profiles of hockey players ~ clear distinction between different levels of players (eg. Club, international and national etc)

Key Study ~ Kroll & Crenshaw Read study and make notes / annotate Aim ~ comparison of personality profiles using the 16F Different sports where competitors are at established levels of achievement Design ~ independent measures ~ 4 sports Participants ~ 387 athletes, regional or national, wide area of middle geographical section of America, skills were excellent / superior Procedure ~ 16PF, MMPI administered. Athletic quality controlled by selecting those described as excellent / superior. Statistical analysis used to determine whether groups could be compared based on profile as a whole or individual components Results ~ sig diff between groups Using the 16PF from last lesson, use the table to identify what the major contributing factors were for the groups. Football Wrestling Similar Gymnastics Sig H C L Q2 Karate H L G Q2 H B Q1 Q2 Q2 Q4 N G Sig diff Q4 G F B

Evaluate …. Using the evaluation tool I developed for you, evaluate the study…. Reliability Ethnocentrism Generalizability Usefulness Nature vs Nurture Validity

Evaluation Attempts to compare personalities in different sports are sparse and that there was a lack of defined samples for each sport Not be assumed that samples truly represent the sports studied American sports studied Not equal group sizes

Personality Tests and predictions http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFL6RRNuNKc http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2515507/How-Facebook-status-updates-reveal-youre-PSYCHOPATH.html HOMEWORK ~ read over all 3 studies ensuring you understand all relevant points Ensure you have developed evaluation points for all For further info on personality there is a good program that is in parts on you tube ~ child of our time – personality . I will put the link on the Blog. Is useful to help understanding but remember you need to be linking it to the area of sport in preparation for the exam

Today we have…. All learners have: Some learners have: Developed own interpretation of trait theory through discussions in small groups based around Eysenck’s theory Identified at least 5 evaluation points of the theory Considered the application of the theory to the area of sport Developed own interpretation of the relevance the measure of personality and theory has to sport using the key study of Kroll & Crenshaw ~ small group discussion to support own interpretation Identified at least 5 evaluation points of the key study Considered the application of personality to the area of sport drawing on all 3 studies Some learners have: Lead a discussion in small groups Contributed small groups ideas to class discussion Identified more than 5 evaluation points