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Sports Psychology

Goal setting and SMART targets

  • 3 things to know
  • Paper 2

Overview

Performance and outcome goals, why outcome goals are best avoided, how goals improve performance, and writing a SMART target for a performer.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

What does an outcome goal look like, and why is it generally best avoided?

Key term

What is a performance goal?

Key term

Give an example of a performance goal for a 400 m freestyle swimmer.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What is a performance goal?

    Model answer

    A performance goal is a personal target set against the performer's own previous standard. Other people's results play no part in a performance goal.

  2. 2

    Give an example of a performance goal for a 400 m freestyle swimmer.

    Model answer

    A 400 m freestyle swimmer could aim to cut two seconds from her personal best. The swimmer's target concerns her own time, not her finishing position.

  3. 3

    What is an outcome goal?

    Model answer

    An outcome goal is a target based on the end result, such as winning or finishing in the top three. Outcome goals compare the performer with others.

  4. 4

    Give an example of an outcome goal in sport.

    Model answer

    A tennis player aiming to win a county tournament has set an outcome goal. An outcome goal like this depends on beating other players.

  5. 5

    Why are outcome goals generally best avoided?

    Model answer

    Outcome goals depend on factors the performer cannot control, such as the standard of opponents. A performer can play well and still miss an outcome goal.

  6. 6

    Why should beginners avoid outcome goals?

    Model answer

    Winning may be an unrealistic target for a beginner. Repeated failure to win can demotivate a beginner and lead them to give up.

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