Foundation Of Sport And Exercise Psychology Education Essay Example

for evaluating easily changeable factors that can impact motivation.

Motivation is not solely influenced by achieving objectives and being successful; it also plays a significant role in promoting personal growth. Without objectives, there is no point in motivating someone. Focusing on one's objectives makes it easier to motivate them, leading to self-improvement and societal recognition. It is critical to foster achievement motivation and create a supportive environment for individuals to improve their accomplishments and cope with exposure.

I have come to realize that recognizing the interactive effects on achievement motivation is the best approach. By prioritizing aims and outcome goals, we can monitor progress and provide appropriate feedback and reviews. Furthermore, I discovered the importance of communication with athletes when understanding their individual cultural focus, control, and mastery.

Chapter 4 of the Foundation of Sport and Exercise Psychology taught me about arousal, stress, and anxietyStress is the process in which our mind struggles to distinguish between physical and psychological elements, and there are different ways to address this tension. Personally, I experienced increased stress when I was given a task for the first time, leading to concerns. After Mr. Edgar explained these concepts, I gained a full understanding and took notes for further consideration. Additionally, I conducted online research to enhance my comprehension. From Mr. Edgar's key points and internet forums, I learned that arousal is primarily a psychological activity, whereas anxiety is its opposite—a negative mental state associated with fear, worry, and initial bodily response. Stress involves the clash between demands that require emotional competence from an individual, and neglecting these demands can have significant consequences. Some situations elicit more anxiety and arousal than others. Stress is

also influenced by individual personality traits such as high levels of trait anxiety, low self-esteem, and high social body anxiety resulting in more stress compared to others. The issue assumes that as long as stress levels are low, performance will be optimal at a moderate level of actual stimulation.On the other hand,
if there is high cognitive arousal,
performance will be better at a moderate level of actual stimulation but decline quickly
and become ineffective.
There exists a threshold where performance significantly decreasesThe Reversal Concept, as explained in Chapter 4 of the Foundation of Sport and Exercise Psychology, emphasizes that an individual's perception of stimulation determines its impact on performance. Arousal can be either enjoyable/interesting or distressing/anxious. Pleasant arousal enhances performance, while unpleasant stimulation has the opposite effect. The Anxiety Directionality and Intensity hypothesis also plays a crucial role in understanding the stress-performance relationship. It states that how individuals perceive their own anxiety is important, considering both intensity and directionality. Consequently, anxiety can actually have beneficial effects on performance (source: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.psychologycampus.com/sports-psychology/arousal-anxiety.html).

Moving on to Chapter 6 - Feedback, Reinforcement, and Intrinsic Motivation, this section focuses on the fundamental principles and techniques influencing behavior related to feedback, support, and intrinsic motivation. Positive reinforcement is key in encouraging desired behaviors; however, it's worth noting that individuals may respond differently to various forms of encouragement. Additionally, there may be situations where replicating desired behaviors becomes challenging or where distinct reinforcing stimuli are present (Chapter 6).While some managers still rely on punishments as their main motivational tool, it is recommended that a more effective approach is taken by a good manager who either deals with athletes or provides significant rewards.

In the past, continuous and immediate reinforcement was deemed suitable, but nowadays intermittent reinforcement has proven to be more effective. By strengthening the approximation of desired behaviors, difficult skills can shape athletes' behavior. To enhance performance, providing knowledge as a result helps individuals improve by receiving specific feedback on the appropriateness of their reactions and boosting their motivation.

The potential drawbacks and criticism of our punishments include instilling fear of neglecting and promoting unwanted behavior and shame, which hinder the development of expertise. Research has shown that paying individuals to work on an interesting activity can decrease their intrinsic motivation for the activity. Understanding the role of rewards is crucial in determining whether they will enhance or diminish intrinsic motivation. Rewards that are perceived as managing one's behavior or signaling a lack of qualification can diminish intrinsic motivation. On the other hand, rewards that emphasize the educational aspect and provide positive feedback about proficiency enhance intrinsic motivation.In the field of sports, rewards can either increase or decrease athletes' intrinsic motivation, depending on whether control or education is emphasized. In major competitions such as the Olympics, Sea Games, and World Tournaments, athletes often experience success which enhances their intrinsic motivation. Conversely, failure can lead to a decrease in intrinsic motivation. The flow state occurs when there is a balance between individual capabilities and task demands. Confidence, optimal arousal, and focus are factors that contribute to achieving this state.

Chapter 7 of the Foundation of Sports and Exercise Psychology focuses on Group and Team Dynamics. Within this chapter, two distinct roles commonly found in teams are explored: the manager and the team captain. The responsibilities of these roles are

determined by the team's structure and informal roles that develop within the group dynamic. The construction and interactions among group members greatly influence the functions and norms of the team structure. Each role within the group requires specific behaviors that contribute to establishing beliefs, performance expectations, and behavioral patterns within the team.The team climate's efficacy relies on fostering participants' understanding of group member interrelationships to prevent negative impacts. Equity and social support influence both the team climate and performance. Video media recording helps participants identify errors, grasp their roles, and contribute significantly in future events. In social loafing, individuals contribute less when group motivation is lost, leading to diffusion of responsibility. Individual involvement in meaningful tasks may be lower than group standards. Contributions from highly skilled teammates who exceed expectations are valued more. Sports teams should pre-brief to discuss strengths and weaknesses and set achievement goals for each game or level played. Cross training effectively achieves team goals and accomplishments. The squad successfully managed pressure while focusing on their individual tasks. Effective communication is vital for building team unity.
During closed-loop communication training, team members are taught the basics of communication, information sharing, and decision-making within a short period of time. This is especially crucial for athletes under pressure as teammates can help alleviate the stress. When I first joined the Silat National Team in 2001, I initially felt isolated and unsure of who to connect with. However, as each training session went by, I gradually integrated into the team and our bond improved after my first international competition with them. My teammates would occasionally provide me with feedback on areas I needed to improve and

I diligently worked on my weaknesses during every training session. Additionally, I would consult with my coach regarding my performance in training. It brings me great satisfaction when my coach praises both me and the team.

The Foundation of Sport and Exercise Psychology's Chapter 8 on Group Cohesion explores the concept of coherence within a group where members share a similar mindset and work together to achieve common goals and objectives. In my opinion, having a strong leader with high expectations for the team is vital in fostering a sense of unity.To promote team unity and achieve a common goal, the squad can create their own logo or slogan as a symbol of their vision.In 2001, during my time with the National Team, we prioritized team unity. After competitions, our squad would organize events like picnics or dinners and even go on vacations together. The focus was not solely on winning medals for Singapore, but rather on the effort and commitment each member put into the team. When facing opponents, we provided unwavering support as a united squad with a shared mission of bringing glory back to Singapore. This strong sense of unity was evident through our collective objectives and the close bond among teammates.

However, it wasn't always smooth sailing towards achieving this level of unity. Conflicts and power struggles among squad members caused breakdowns in communication. We raised these issues with our managers who took immediate action to address them before they worsened. The squad is now determined to rediscover their vision that had been overlooked in their mission statement. They have openly stated their goals and objectives that they aim to accomplish.

I am pleased

with how proactive our managers were in addressing these challenges early on. Since then, the squad has shown a willingness to assist one another whenever necessary. To further promote cohesion within the group, it is crucial for individuals to positively influence each other and adhere to group norms. A higher level of cohesion allows the squad to better withstand setbacks compared to lower levels.
The squad is likely to have a longer duration and maintain better cohesion, resulting in improved performance and a lower likelihood of dropout. The role of the squad leader is crucial in increasing group coherence. Group coherence can be observed not only in sports or athletics but also in my current workplace at Aetos Auxiliary Police in Changi Prison Clusters. As the squad leader, I have the responsibility of leading 60 officers from Malaysia and our local area. Initially, organizing them was challenging, so I decided to divide them into two groups and arrange a team retreat to alleviate myself and my team. After the team retreat, I noticed that our team became more cohesive as they communicated with each other and worked together daily. The leadership chapter found in "Foundation of Sport and Exercise Psychology" is relevant to my current job. Being a team leader is both challenging and fulfilling; it requires diligent work to maintain discipline and ensure everyone meets the set standards. I possess high-quality leadership skills which I am proud to contribute to our organization; however, without the support of my fellow officers, leadership would mean nothing. It is crucial for me as a leader of a 60-officer team from Malaysia and Singapore to maintain discipline and stability

at all times.I offer my successful officers opportunities for advancement in their service while also providing them with leadership skills. Working with Aetos Auxiliary Police has allowed me to excel in my leadership career and I am grateful for the opportunity. It has been an excellent experience working within this organization, starting as a Police Constable like everyone else. As an adult male, I worked diligently to gain confidence and do my best for the organization, eventually being promoted to Corporal and becoming an assistant squad leader. Over the years, I participated in various assignments and in 2010, I was appointed as a full squad leader. This promotion allowed me to authorize leave and other management documentation, which was life-changing for me.

One significant task of mine was overseeing and involving new Aetos Auxiliary police officers in taking over from Cisco Auxiliary Police at the Changi Prison Complex. Leading Cluster A at the complex presented challenging situations with volatile group performances that put my reputation at risk. However, I successfully managed to maintain the reputation and dignity of our subsidiary as Aetos Auxiliary Police by establishing strong interpersonal relationships and motivating both subordinates and peers towards our objectives.
Understanding the needs of the team is crucial for leadership. Leaders must provide direction and allocate resources to accomplish goals. Effective management includes planning, organizing, and scheduling tasks. To be a great leader, one must possess universal personality traits such as benevolence, foresight, and firmness. These traits shape my approach to leadership. The most successful leaders display a diverse range of behaviors when dealing with different people. In sports leadership, it is important for the leader's behavior to be

appropriate and desirable. Additionally, considering the context and history of the situation is essential. A leader should strive for positive outcomes and work towards improving their team's performance.