Impact of Environment on Psychological Skill Development - Essay Example

? Impact of Environment on Psychological Skill Development Impact of Environment on Psychological Skill Development Introduction The relevance of engaging in sports and physical activity can never be underestimated. Most sports require well-tuned motor skills and a highly developed sense of spatial orientation where one’s body is in action from one moment to another. There is no doubt that skill development can make one feel better, not only physically but in other aspects as well. There were studies that indicate that exercise and physical activities tend to assist in creating a better self-image to individuals who regularly indulge in them, than those who do not. In this regard, the essay aims to proffer the impact of the environmental factors on the development of psychological skills by addressing the following questions, to wit: (1) How “aware” or how well do you feel you know yourself as a performer? (2) Consider the sports and physical activities that you have engaged in and identify why you think you chose those activities? (3) Discuss your motivation to exercise or your current involvement in sport based on self-determination theory and intrinsic and extrinsic continuum. (4) Identify your goal orientation and reflect on the environments that you grew up in related to sport and physical activity. What kinds of climates where you exposed to “task-oriented” (mastery) climates or ego-oriented (performance) climates? Explain how you think these environments may have influence your motivation and your awareness of yourself as a performer. (5) What influences have coaches, P.E. teachers, parents, teammates, and any significant others played in your involvement, motivation and awareness in sport and/or exercise? And (6) how could you enhance your awareness and your current motivation for, and enjoyment of, sport and/or exercise? Profile of Self as a Performer I used to play soccer with the Burnaby Girls team a little while back. I was never really into playing sports and learning the skills needed for soccer was very new to me. I was always consciously aware of my performance in the beginning because I had to concentrate on my every move. Just like learning to drive a car, a learner will have to put all of his/her concentration on trying to maneuver the car, but eventually all these things will become automatic. When I am practicing my skills, I am consciously aware of my footwork as well as trying to keep my head up. Sports and Physical Activities Engaged In I decided to engage in soccer as a sport and form of physical activity due to the benefits one could accord from it. I have always been a determined person who set goals and exert efforts to achieve these goals. I realized that soccer is fun and provides benefits in terms of burning calories, developing tone muscles, learning to be part of a team, and achieving the team’s goal to succeed. The game of soccer manifests adherence to self-determination theory which suggests that “intrinsic motivational processes are most able to take root in context where the need for relatedness is supported – that is, contexts where people feel a sense of connectedness and belonging” (Hagger & Chatzisarantis, 3). By playing together as a team, planning coordinated strategies and trying to succeed, soccer provides the incentive to motivate me to strive harder and be challenged towards achieving that defined objective. Motivation to Exercise As indicated, soccer as a game played by a group of individuals serve as the incentive consistent with the self-determination theory. There is motivation to engage in soccer to achieve the identified three “basic and universal psychological needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness” (Hagger & Chatzisarantis, xi). There is this sense of independence when one is able to schedule activities and to control the time and effort required for the sport or physical activity required. Competence is gained and achieved through constant practice and through sheer determination to do good at one’s games. Finally, relatedness is achieved through teambuilding and group effort. Soccer exemplifies a game where self-determination theory is effectively manifested through the opportunity of achieving the three defined needs. There is this level of intrinsic motivation by participating in the game of soccer for the personal interest and pleasure I derive from it. In so doing, there is this element of high determination to indulge in this activity. On the other hand, extrinsic factors interplay through motivations given by coaches. They give rewards and awards for exemplary performance and punishments in terms of extra hour of practice to correct mistakes and improve on skills needed for the next game. Goal Orientation and Environments influencing Sport and Physical Activity Differentiating between task oriented and ego oriented climates, the definition provided by Cox (2002) reveals that “a mastery climate is one in which athletes receive positive reinforcement from the coach when they (a) work hard, (b) demonstrate improvement, (c) help others learn through cooperation, and (d) believe that each player’s contribution is important” (p. 39). In contrast, a competitive climate is defined as “one in which athletes perceive that (a) poor performance and mistakes will be punished, (b) high-ability athletes will receive the most attention and recognition, and (c) competition between team members is encouraged by the coach” (Cox, 39). In this regard, one realized that I grew in a more task oriented environment where positive reinforcements were provided and players are encouraged to strive to develop one’s skills for personal growth and development and at the same time, to enjoy. However, I also get the chance to be exposed to an ego-oriented environment, where a coach used punishments and threats, hoping to improve one’s performance. Since I realized that I am a self-determined person, who is more intrinsically motivated than extrinsic, the task-oriented climate that I was exposed to encouraged me to strive on my own pace but with due diligence and exerted efforts to achieve and be competent on my chosen sport and preferred physical activities. Influence of Others Coaches, P.E. teachers, parents, teammates, and any significant others played instrumental roles in the involvement, motivation and awareness in sports and in other physical activities I chose to engage. Mentors are people who provide guidance and direction to an endeavor. Our personal and professional growth and well-being are likewise, their goals. Parents, for example, provided the holistic support in terms of financial, emotional, physical, psychological factors that to be addressed in terms of engaging in a particular sport or exercise. Coaches and mentors provide the rules of the trade, the leadership and the motivation for one to continue pursuing one’s objectives. Teammates, of course, provide support in terms of encouragement, active participation and collaboration in the game, and the fun of playing with them. Enhancing Awareness and Motivation There is the identified strategy of fostering a conducive environment, applying the appropriate motivation, and building competence as averred by Casell (2009). As averred, “the acronym TARGET can be used as a guide for helping coaches develop such an environment in their practice sessions. TARGET stands for Task, Authority, Recognition, Grouping, Evaluation, and Timing (4) and when taken together these components can help create a mastery-oriented setting” (par. 5). The strategy uses an interplay of crucial factors that give autonomy to the players, rewards, diversity in tasks and activities, teambuilding and group work, constant and regular monitoring of performance and appropriate timing on a case to case basis. By recognizing that individuals have unique preferences in terms of the environment and motivation, strategies that are appropriately designed and acknowledges the diversity of individuals are most effective. In this regard, knowing the factors that motivate me and the environment that promotes and enhances the honing of skills and the achievement of my personal and professional goals, the kind of sports activities and exercises that support these agenda are the ones that would be chosen to ensure that a holistic personal development is achieved. References Casell, J. (2009). Creating a Mastery Oriented Environment. Retrieved 14 February 2011. Cox, R. H. (2002). Sport Psychology: Concepts and Applications (5th ed.). Boston: McGraw Hill. Hagger, M. & Chatzisarantis, N. (2007). Intrinsic Motivation and Self-Determination in Exercise and Sport. Edwards Brothers, USA. Read More