ISSA Sports Psychology 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which psychological technique involves an athlete mentally rehearsing a skill or performance before executing it?
- Progressive relaxation
- Visualization (mental imagery) (Correct answer)
- Self-talk
- Biofeedback
Correct answer: Visualization (mental imagery)
Visualization, or mental imagery, is the practice of mentally rehearsing a movement or performance to improve confidence and motor skill execution.
Question 2: What term describes the optimal mental state in which an athlete performs at their best with seemingly effortless focus?
- Arousal
- Flow state (Correct answer)
- Cognitive anxiety
- Dissociation
Correct answer: Flow state
Flow state, coined by Csikszentmihalyi, describes peak performance characterized by full immersion, effortless focus, and intrinsic enjoyment.
Question 3: According to the Yerkes-Dodson Law, what is the relationship between arousal and performance?
- Linear — more arousal always improves performance
- Inverse — arousal always decreases performance
- Inverted-U — moderate arousal produces optimal performance (Correct answer)
- No relationship exists between arousal and performance
Correct answer: Inverted-U — moderate arousal produces optimal performance
The Yerkes-Dodson Law describes an inverted-U relationship where both too little and too much arousal impair performance, with moderate arousal being optimal.
Question 4: Which type of motivation comes from internal sources such as personal satisfaction and love of the activity?
- Extrinsic motivation
- Introjected motivation
- Intrinsic motivation (Correct answer)
- External regulation
Correct answer: Intrinsic motivation
Intrinsic motivation is driven by internal rewards like enjoyment, mastery, and personal fulfillment rather than external rewards.
Question 5: What is self-efficacy in the context of sports psychology?
- A client's overall physical fitness level
- An athlete's belief in their ability to succeed at a specific task (Correct answer)
- The degree of external motivation an athlete has
- A measurement of athletic IQ
Correct answer: An athlete's belief in their ability to succeed at a specific task
Self-efficacy, as defined by Bandura, is the individual's belief in their capacity to execute the behaviors necessary to produce specific outcomes.
Question 6: Which strategy involves an athlete using brief, positive phrases to direct attention and boost confidence during training or competition?
- Meditation
- Positive self-talk (Correct answer)
- Systematic desensitization
- Attentional focus
Correct answer: Positive self-talk
Positive self-talk uses intentional, constructive internal statements to improve focus, manage emotions, and reinforce confident behavior.
Question 7: What is the primary goal of goal-setting in sports psychology?
- To increase extrinsic rewards for athletes
- To direct attention, increase effort, and enhance persistence toward desired outcomes (Correct answer)
- To reduce training volume
- To eliminate competitive anxiety entirely
Correct answer: To direct attention, increase effort, and enhance persistence toward desired outcomes
Goal-setting directs an athlete's attention, motivates effort, encourages persistence, and promotes development of new learning strategies.
ISSA Sports Psychology 1
Which psychological technique involves an athlete mentally rehearsing a skill or performance before executing it?