Trait, social learning and interactionist theories

Overview

Personality, trait theory and its criticisms, social learning theory and the people young performers copy, interactionist theory and B = f(P × E), the calm player in a derby, and the link between personality and sport.

What you need to know

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Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   What is personality?

   Model answer

   Personality is the unique set of characteristics that make a person who they are. Personality affects how a performer behaves in sport.

2. 2

   What does trait theory claim about personality?

   Model answer

   Trait theory claims that personality is made of stable, inborn traits. Behaviour is therefore consistent across situations.

3. 3

   How would trait theory predict a performer's behaviour?

   Model answer

   Trait theory predicts that a performer behaves the same way in every situation. An aggressive person would be aggressive in all sports and settings.

4. 4

   What are the criticisms of trait theory?

   Model answer

   Trait theory ignores the influence of the situation. Behaviour often changes from one setting to another, which trait theory cannot explain.

5. 5

   What does social learning theory claim about personality?

   Model answer

   Social learning theory claims that personality is learned by watching and copying others. Behaviour that is reinforced is more likely to be repeated.

6. 6

   Whose behaviour are young performers most likely to copy?

   Model answer

   Young performers copy significant others such as parents, coaches and famous players. Models who are successful or rewarded are copied most.

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