1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. Table 12.2 Examples of Scaled Responses3 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

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