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Sports Psychology & Motivation Flashcards

7 cards from real CIC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. Which motivational theory distinguishes between intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, and amotivation on a continuum of self-determination?

    Answer: Self-Determination Theory

    Self-Determination Theory (SDT) by Deci and Ryan places motivation on a continuum from amotivation through extrinsic to intrinsic regulation.

  2. A high school basketball player repeatedly tells herself 'I am calm and focused' before free throws. This is an example of:

    Answer: Positive self-talk

    Positive self-talk involves using affirming internal statements to enhance confidence and regulate arousal before performance.

  3. According to Bandura's social cognitive theory, which source of self-efficacy has the greatest impact on an athlete's belief in their ability?

    Answer: Mastery experiences

    Mastery experiences (personal performance accomplishments) are the most powerful source of self-efficacy because they provide direct evidence of capability.

  4. When a coach focuses solely on external rewards like trophies, what risk does this pose to athletes' long-term motivation?

    Answer: Intrinsic motivation may be undermined

    Over-reliance on external rewards can crowd out intrinsic motivation, a phenomenon known as the overjustification effect.

  5. A coach notices an athlete performs well in practice but freezes during competition. The most likely psychological explanation is:

    Answer: Competitive state anxiety

    Competitive state anxiety is a situational response to competitive stress that can impair performance despite adequate skill.

  6. The concept of 'choking under pressure' is best explained by which psychological mechanism?

    Answer: Distraction theories suggest attention shifts to task-irrelevant cues

    Attentional distraction models explain choking as occurring when pressure redirects focus away from the task to self-monitoring or external distractions.

  7. Which team-building strategy is most effective for improving task cohesion in interscholastic sport?

    Answer: Clarifying individual roles and collective goals

    Task cohesion improves when athletes understand their roles and share clear performance goals, aligning individual contributions to team success.