CIC Sports Psychology & Motivation 3

Question 1

Which leadership style is generally most effective when coaching experienced, self-motivated high school athletes?

Accepted Answer

Democratic/participative style

Answer

Democratic or participative coaching allows experienced athletes input in decision-making, which enhances autonomy, ownership, and intrinsic motivation.

Question 2

A swimmer's performance suddenly drops despite no physical injury. The coach suspects burnout. Which sign is MOST characteristic of athlete burnout?

Accepted Answer

Emotional exhaustion and sport devaluation

Answer

Athlete burnout is characterized by emotional/physical exhaustion, sport devaluation (reduced sense of accomplishment), and a depersonalized attitude toward sport.

Question 3

In Achievement Goal Theory, an athlete with a strong task (mastery) orientation primarily defines success as:

Accepted Answer

Personal improvement and skill mastery

Answer

Task-oriented athletes judge success based on personal improvement and effort, independent of how they compare to others.

Question 4

A coach wants to reduce pre-game anxiety in a nervous athlete. Which intervention is MOST evidence-based?

Accepted Answer

Progressive muscle relaxation and controlled breathing

Answer

Progressive muscle relaxation combined with diaphragmatic breathing effectively reduces somatic anxiety by activating the parasympathetic nervous system.

Question 5

Which psychological concept explains why a soccer player's performance improves when playing in front of a supportive home crowd but declines with a hostile crowd?

Accepted Answer

Social facilitation

Answer

Social facilitation theory explains that audience presence enhances performance on well-learned tasks but can impair performance on novel or complex skills depending on arousal level.

(CIC) Certified Interscholastic Coach Practice Test

(CIC) Certified Interscholastic Coach Practice Test

CIC Sports Psychology & Motivation 3