PSY FPX 8840 Assessment 1 Theoretical Framework Essay

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Capella University

PSY FPX 8840 Principles of Sport Psychology

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Theoretical Framework Essay

Sport psychology is a field primarily focused on enhancing an athlete’s performance in their respective sport or exercise. However, a sport psychologist views sport and exercise as vehicles for human enrichment. Typically, a sport psychologist integrates elements from various theories to develop a personalized framework for their work and therapeutic practices. Some of these theories may include social cognitive theory and information processing theory.

Analyzing Social Cognitive Theory

Social cognitive theory posits that learning is a social process influenced by reciprocal interactions among the individual, their environment, and their behavior. Both internal and external social influences, along with past experiences, significantly impact learning. This theory comprises reciprocal interactions between the athlete, their behaviors, and their environments. Once an athlete acquires a new skill, the speed at which they practice that skill and apply the information will influence their performance.

An athlete’s attribution is closely related to social cognitive theory. An athlete with an external locus of control believes that their success is more dependent on environmental factors and luck than on their personal efforts. The frequency of environmental changes will affect the stability of performance for such an athlete, who may perceive their level of control as very low.

Understanding Information Processing Theory

Information processing theory asserts that learning involves more than mere associations between external stimuli and responses; it emphasizes internal connections. Sensory memory is utilized to filter incoming information, while working memory manages and stores larger amounts of information. Long-term memory serves as a permanent storage system that retains information for extended periods, allowing for the integration of new information as it is absorbed. Retrieval processes enable the recall of this information when needed, facilitating connections with new memories or temporary stimuli.

Motivation and Memory in Athletes

An athlete’s intrinsic or extrinsic motivation significantly influences their ability to commit information to memory. If an athlete feels they are not actively involved in their success, their motivation may shift to an extrinsic nature. In such cases, they are less likely to invest effort in remembering specific aspects of their sport, as they may perceive it as not directly benefiting them.

Personal Experience with Social Cognitive Theory

As a collegiate cheerleader, I have witnessed how social cognitive theory can enhance performance. A teammate of mine was struggling academically, which impacted her ability to remain an active member of the team. To support her, I attended her 8 a.m. class to ensure she arrived on time and participated. Initially, this athlete had an external locus of control, believing that the timing of her class was unsuitable for her learning style. However, being in the same environment as me shifted her perspective. Through our late-night practices and early morning workouts, she realized that her ability to attend class was influenced more by her own behaviors than by her environment. The intrinsic motivation to stay on the team and the leadership demonstrated by her team captain empowered her to improve her academic performance. As her grades improved, her confidence grew, which positively impacted her cheerleading performance.

References

American Psychological Association. (n.d.). APA division 47: Society for sport, exercise and performance psychology. Retrieved from http://www.apadivisions.org/division47/index.aspx

Anshel, M. H. (2012). Sport psychology: From theory to practice (5th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Pearson Benjamin Cummings.

Gamber, V., Hanson, K., Amdur, D., & Baumgartner, C. (n.d.). Interactive memory model. Retrieved from http://media.capella.edu/CourseMedia/PSY7421/media_memory/memory_wrapper.asp

Gillet, N., Vallerand, R. J., Amoura, S., & Baldes, B. (2010). Influence of coaches’ autonomy support on athletes’ motivation and sport performance: A test of the hierarchical model of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 11(2), 155–161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2009.10.004.

LaMorte, W. (2018). The social cognitive theory. Retrieved from http://sphweb.bumc.bu.edu/otlt/MPHModules/SB/BehavioralChangeTheories/BehavioralChangeTheories5.html