ISSA Sports Psychology

Question 1

Which psychological technique involves an athlete mentally rehearsing a skill or performance before executing it?

Accepted Answer

Visualization (mental imagery)

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Flow state

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Inverted-U — moderate arousal produces optimal performance

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Intrinsic motivation

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

An athlete's belief in their ability to succeed at a specific task

Answer

Self-efficacy, as defined by Bandura, is the individual's belief in their capacity to execute the behaviors necessary to produce specific outcomes.

ISSA - International Sports Sciences Association Practice Test

ISSA - International Sports Sciences Association Practice Test

ISSA Sports Psychology