Describe theories relating to personality and how they affect sports performance. Evaluate critically, personality profiling in sport.
There are varying theories relating to personality, with each theory giving a different viewpoint on how personality affects sporting performance. One of these theories is the Trait Theory (Eysenck) which originally stated that there were only two personality types (introvert and extrovert) but over time realised that this limited the theory and introduced two more personality traits (stable and neurotic). Each one of these personality types has its own unique affect on a sports performance.
An introvert for example is seen to be shy and tends to choose a solo sport, and this sport is likely to be one that contains small muscle movements such as darts. This personality trait would affect sporting performance if the performer was performing in a team game, the lack of confidence may put them off their game or they may not even get involved.
Extroverts on the other hand tend to be confident and are most often found within team games, this trait can also lead to hot headedness and therefore deteriorate their performance in sport as they are no longer concentrated on the task at hand. This can also be said when they have to partake in a sport that involves small muscle movements (as extroverts tend to sway towards the use of large muscle movements) if they’re unable to perform the task at hand they may become aggressive and thus their performance will decrease.
One further trait Eysenck indentified was a stable performer; a stable performer tends to be more laid back and has an even temper. In a performance situation this could lead to either laziness or complacency, with their mind wandering off task.
The final personality trait Eysenck identified is a neurotic performer; a neurotic performer tends to get anxious more easily then the other personality traits and is highly aroused during sport. This trait in a sporting performance can lead to aggression (due to the high level of arousal) and even poor performance if the anxiousness overwhelms the performer.
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An introvert for example is seen to be shy and tends to choose a solo sport, and this sport is likely to be one that contains small muscle movements such as darts. This personality trait would affect sporting performance if the performer was performing in a team game, the lack of confidence may put them off their game or they may not even get involved.
Extroverts on the other hand tend to be confident and are most often found within team games, this trait can also lead to hot headedness and therefore deteriorate their performance in sport as they are no longer concentrated on the task at hand. This can also be said when they have to partake in a sport that involves small muscle movements (as extroverts tend to sway towards the use of large muscle movements) if they’re unable to perform the task at hand they may become aggressive and thus their performance will decrease.
One further trait Eysenck indentified was a stable performer; a stable performer tends to be more laid back and has an even temper. In a performance situation this could lead to either laziness or complacency, with their mind wandering off task.
The final personality trait Eysenck identified is a neurotic performer; a neurotic performer tends to get anxious more easily then the other personality traits and is highly aroused during sport. This trait in a sporting performance can lead to aggression (due to the high level of arousal) and even poor performance if the anxiousness overwhelms the performer.
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