Word Association

Personality

Aims and Objectives To understand the theories related to personality. To evaluate the measurement of personality To apply personality theory to the sporting arena, for example, is there a sporting personality? v

Definition Personality is the sum total of an individual’s characteristics which make him unique. (Hollander 1971) Those relatively stable and enduring aspects of individuals which distinguish them from other people, making them unique, but which at the same time allow people to be compared with each other. (Gross, 1996)

Trait Theory Trait theorists such as Eysenck and Cattell saw personality as a collection of traits. They suggested we have underlying characteristics which determine our behaviour and make that behaviour possible to predict. We can predict behaviour in all situations. For example, if a tennis player is identified as assertive they are assertive regardless of the situation.

Eysenck’s Theory of Personality (1947) 700 neurotic battle-fatigued soldiers Factor analysis Two dimensions Aggressive Active Sociable carefree Passive Calm Moody quiet

Eysenck continued …………… Eysenck later added a third dimension: Psychotic Non-psychotic According to Eysenck, a person could be located anywhere along the dimensions.

Social Learning Theory Observation and modelling- Bandura (1) Attention, through observation (2) Retention, including symbolic coding, cognitive organisation, symbolic rehearsal, motor rehearsal (3) Motor Reproduction, including physical capabilities, self-observation of reproduction, accuracy of feedback (4) Motivation, including external, vicarious and self reinforcement

Hollander’s Structure of Personality Psychological Core Typical Responses Role related behaviour

Personality as a layered structure Hollander’s Structure of Personality (1971) Personality core –Developed from early environmental interactions –Includes perceptions of external world and self, basic attitudes, values, interests, and motives –Reflective of who we are; least amenable to change Typical responses to situations –Fairly predictable behaviours and reactions

Personality as a layered structure Role-related behaviours –Variable, daily behaviours influenced by the particular context we are in –Most easily changed

Interactionist approach B=f (P, E) Behaviour (B) is a function (f) of personality traits (P) and environmental conditions (E).

Measuring personality The ability to predict who will drop out of, or stay in activities is particularly useful for coaches and administrators. However, personality tests have so far been unable to identify who will stay and who will go. The idea of using psychological characteristics such as personality in talent-identification programmes is also attractive again though we need to be careful in understanding there are a lot more other areas to consider other than personality when analyzing an individual’s suitability for a role or type of sport.

Measuring personality Rorschach Inkblot Test

Measuring personality Interviews and observations

Measuring personality Psychometric Testing Questionnaires Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-measures extroversion/introversion, neuroticism/stability and psychoticism. Subjects scoring high on E represent high neuroticism and low stability. Example from extroversion/introversion category Do you usually finish your meals before other people even though there is no reason to hurry? Yes □Maybe □ No □

Measuring Personality Catell’s 16 Personality Factor (16PF) Questionnaire. Started with 18,000 adjectives Through refinement arrived at 16 source traits For example:trusting suspicious practicalimaginative reservedoutgoing Scored on an 10 point scale

Measuring personality The Minnesota Multiphase Personality Inventory Comprised of 567 questions, which takes up to 90 minutes to complete. It is extremely detailed and accurate Originally developed by Starke Hathaway and J.C. McKilney at the University of Minnesota in the late 1930's. Revised in 1989 and 2001.

Measuring personality Profile of Mood States (POMS) ‘Iceberg Profile’- Morgan (1978) Compared with non athletes, top level x-c skiers displayed: lower level of tension lower level of depression about equal levels of anger significantly higher vigor less fatigue and confusion

Applying the theory Is there a sporting personality? Individual Differences Characteristics of the various sports- individual/team Lack of a state-trait approach Problems with measurement Silva (1984) the higher up the ‘athletic pyramid’ the athletes were the more similar their personalities were to others at that level.