Sports Psychology & Mental Performance Flashcards

Which mental performance strategy involves an athlete rehearsing a consistent sequence of thoughts and actions before executing a skill?

Answer: Pre-performance routine

A pre-performance routine is a structured sequence of physical and mental cues that prime the athlete for optimal execution of a skill.

Cohesion in a team sport refers to:

Answer: The tendency of a group to stay united toward a goal

Team cohesion is the dynamic process by which a group remains bonded in pursuit of shared objectives and interpersonal connections.

An AAU coach helping an athlete develop 'mental toughness' would most appropriately focus on:

Answer: Building resilience and the ability to perform consistently under pressure

Mental toughness is characterized by the ability to maintain focus, confidence, and performance quality even under significant pressure or adversity.

What is the primary purpose of a 'thought-stopping' technique in sport psychology?

Answer: Interrupt and replace negative thought patterns

Thought-stopping is a cognitive technique where the athlete consciously interrupts a negative thought and replaces it with a positive or neutral alternative.

According to Self-Determination Theory, which psychological need is most directly satisfied when an athlete feels their input is valued by the coaching staff?

Answer: Autonomy

Autonomy — the need to feel volitional and self-directed — is satisfied when athletes have meaningful input and ownership in their training.

Which attentional style is most appropriate for an athlete needing broad external focus during team play?

Answer: Broad-external

Broad-external attention allows an athlete to scan the environment and process multiple cues such as teammates' positions and opponents' movements.

A coach implementing a positive reinforcement approach after a successful performance is primarily aiming to:

Answer: Increase the likelihood of the behavior recurring

Positive reinforcement strengthens desired behaviors by presenting a rewarding stimulus immediately following the target behavior, increasing its future frequency.