Motivation and Emotion in Sport: Reversal Theory

by Kerr,John H.

• ISBN13: 9780863775000
• ISBN10: 0863775004
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 1999-07-01
• Publisher: Psychology Pres

Summary

Why did Michael Jordan quit basketball and take up baseball? Why was Martina Navratilova so successful as a professional tennis player? Why did Diego Maradona take performance-enhancing drugs during the 1994 soccer World Cup? Why did ice-skater Tonya Harding involve herself in physical attacks on her Olympic rival Nancy Kerrigan? These and many other questions about aspects of motivation and emotion in sport are addressed in this book. The theoretical background to the book is provided by reversal theory, a general psychological theory which is demonstrating its usefulness and versatility as it is being increasingly applied within sport psychology. Reversal theory's systematic conceptual framework allows a unique perspective for interpreting behavior in sport contexts. Within each chapter, real-life examples are combined with research findings to provide an understanding of the emotional background and changes which accompany the individual's unique experience in sport. In addition, suggestionsas to applications of reversal theory in new areas of sport psychology and the future direction of reversal theory-based sport research are outlined. For those interested in a truly insightful understanding of human behavior in sport, this book will be required reading.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
Introduction	1	(8)
Key elements in reversal theory	9	(18)
Metamotivational states and reversals	9	(2)
Metamotivational state characteristics	11	(1)
The mechanisms of reversal	12	(3)
Metamotivational dominance	15	(1)
The experience of arousal	16	(1)
Metamotivational state combinations	17	(5)
Intensity of emotions	22	(1)
Experiencing parapathic emotions	22	(1)
Concluding comments	23	(1)
Further reading	24	(1)
References	24	(3)
Into sport: Aspects of participation and preference	27	(20)
Metamotivational dominance and sport	30	(4)
Sports, dominance, and lifestyle	34	(5)
Negativism and conformity in sport	39	(4)
Concluding comments	43	(1)
Further reading	43	(1)
References	44	(3)
Skating on thin ice: The special attraction of dangerous sports	47	(20)
Risk sports and personality	48	(1)
Telic and paratelic dominance	49	(4)
Negativism and conformity dominance in risk sports	53	(1)
The perception of risk	54	(4)
Emotional experience during parachuting	58	(5)
Concluding comments	63	(1)
Further reading	64	(1)
References	64	(3)
We are the champions!: Winning and losing in sport	67	(22)
Success in rugby	68	(1)
Success in gymnastics	69	(1)
Success in squash	70	(8)
Success in canoeing	78	(6)
A note for coaches and athletes	84	(1)
Concluding comments	85	(1)
Further reading	86	(1)
References	86	(3)
Up for the match?: Experiencing arousal and emotion in sport	89	(26)
Reversal theory and arousal	90	(3)
Comparing optimal arousal theory and reversal theory	93	(1)
Other approaches to emotion and performance in sport psychology	94	(13)
Concluding comments	107	(1)
Further reading	108	(1)
References	108	(7)
Get your retaliation in first: Aggression and violence in team contact sports	115	(18)
The dangerous but attractive nature of team contact sports	117	(3)
Physical prowess, hostility, toughness, and sanctioned violence	120	(3)
Addicted to physical confrontation	123	(4)
Unsanctioned violence in team contact sports	127	(1)
Athletic psychopaths?	128	(2)
Concluding comments	130	(1)
Further reading	131	(1)
References	131	(2)
The feel good factor: Sport, exercise, and psychological well-being	133	(22)
Research on exercise, sport, and well-being	135	(7)
Too much of a good thing: Exercise dependence	142	(3)
Excessive exercise and reversal problems	145	(1)
Exercise dependence and eating disorders	146	(3)
Exercise and sports activities as interventions	149	(1)
Concluding comments	150	(1)
Further reading	150	(1)
References	151	(4)
Over the top?: Stress in competitive sports	155	(22)
Reversal theory and stress	157	(1)
Differences in stress response: Telic/paratelic dominance	158	(2)
Reversal theory research on stress in the sports context	160	(4)
Burnout and other stress-related problems in sport	164	(6)
Counteracting stress effects in sport	170	(2)
Concluding comments	172	(2)
Further reading	174	(1)
References	174	(3)
Rethinking the script: Future directions in reversal theory sports research and practice	177	(16)
Reversal theory sports research	177	(5)
Reversal theory in practice	182	(3)
Reversal theory and coaching	185	(4)
Concluding comments	189	(1)
References	189	(4)
Appendix A Summary of studies investigating dominance in sport (Chapter 3)	193	(3)
Appendix B Summary of studies investigating dominance in risk sports (Chapter 4)	196	(2)
Appendix C Summary of studies investigating winning and losing in sports (Chapter 5)	198	(3)
Appendix D Telic Dominance Scale (TDS)	201	(5)
Appendix E Negativism Dominance Scale (NDS)	206	(4)
Appendix F Telic State Measure (TSM)	210	(2)
Appendix G Tension and Effort Stress Inventory (TESI)	212	(3)
Author Index	215	(6)
Subject Index	221