The Relationship between Personality and Sports Participation - Essay Example

The Relationship between Personality and Sports Participation Introduction There are a series of mitigating circumstances that drive one individual’s propensity to engage in sporting activities whilst another in society rejects this form of recreation as a lifestyle option. These factors are directly related to specific personality profiles and the level to which humans value the role of social influence in their decision-making regarding sports participation. Traditional psychology and sports psychology both tend to surmise that specific personality traits can act as predictors as to whether an individual engages in sports for recreational purposes, as a form of needs fulfilment, or whether as an outcome of a variety of potential personality disorders. “Groups promote the development and maintenance of meaningful interpersonal relationships by offering networks of support and mutual assistance” (Park & Hinsz, 2006, p.137). The view that sports participation is merely an activity for the purpose of exercise can be proven invalid by pre-existing research evidence, offering solid verification that it is personality-driven and linked directly to behavioural qualities and character. Defining personality Personality is defined as “an individual’s pattern of psychological processes arising from motives, feelings, thoughts and other major areas of psychological function” (Mayer, 2005, p.21). Some of the key words in this definition are central to understanding the focal concept of personality, including motivation and emotion. This definition suggests that personality is a series of inherent characteristics not necessarily dependent on the external environment. Personality is also described as “patterns of characteristic thoughts, feelings, and behaviours that distinguish one person from another and that persists over time and situations” (kinesiology 100.com, 2008, p.330). Again, this definition supports an inherent set of traits that are sustained and predictable regardless of the passage of time. Most psychologists believe that personality is developed very early during the youths’ developmental years and will drive decision-making throughout an adult lifetime without considerable modification. Linking sports to personality In order to understand the linkage between personality and sports participation, it is first important to recognise inherent value systems found within certain personality profiles and understand how decision-making borne from these values is influenced by inherent desires and the external social environment. A recent study was conducted involving a large sample of youth sports participants (with varying sporting backgrounds) to determine the motivations behind their decision to become active sports enthusiasts. It was determined that the two most important aspects behind this decision-making process were developing social relationships and acquisition of social validation (Tiano, 2007). The results of the study indicate that the external environment and social needs drive the majority of sports recreation decisions where self-concept is developed as a product of peer group influence. Building a more positive social network, rather than merely experiencing improved physical fitness, is the essence of sports involvement. However, why is this? Abraham Maslow, a respected behavioural psychologist, developed a motivational hierarchy that describes a series of bottom-up tiers by which an individual evolves in order to maximise their personal growth and development. These include basic needs at the physiological level, followed by safety needs, and an escalation to mid-tier needs that include establishing a sense of social belonging (Maslow, 1997). It is theorised under this psychological model that all tiers leading toward self-actualisation (the final realisation of self-fulfilment) must be experienced in a sequential order as lower needs are satisfied. Belonging on this model include affection and relationship-development, along with appreciation or even self-concepts toward beauty and aesthetics. The model indicates these to be universal concepts in the human behavioural needs cycle and will be found within all individuals in a society. With this foundational model in mind, it is not necessarily a revelation that youths and adults decide to engage in sports recreation in the process of attempting to reach their fullest potential as humans with a self-actualised, self-fulfilled desire for growth and self-improvement. The search for belonging and positive regard from others is what shapes self-concept, thus sporting activities where group affiliation is commonplace provide an ideal environment for satisfaction of basic human needs and desires. Youths that engage in sports recreation would then find, under Maslow’s philosophy of needs fulfilment, a more positive sense of the self and identity development through group exercises such as sports. Brown & Lohr (1987) offer that friendship-building and peer acceptance are major contributors to positive youth development and are well-defined, concrete constructs for becoming a more well-rounded and balanced human being. However, would this necessarily be true with all individuals engaged in sporting activities as a lifestyle choice? Wiggins (1996) offers what is referred to as the Five Factor Model, the big five personality dimensions, that drive distinct personalities found in most humans. These include extraversion, emotional stability, conscientiousness, agreeableness and openness to new experiences. Extraverted personalities are more socially-minded and enjoy being part of groups, a trait that would be desirable in most team-based sporting activities that involve team-working and dependency. Agreeableness is also linked to concepts found in sporting events as it involves trust and compliance, necessary personality traits in order to function in hierarchical structures and when depending on team players for positive performance outcomes. According to Morris & Maisto (2005) these are universal personality traits as they have been tested from large-scale sample groups from Germany, China, Portugal, Japan, Korea and the United States. The only big five personality factor that cannot necessarily be linked to sports participation is emotional stability, as this can be related to anxiety, impulsiveness and vulnerability which would be considered undesirable in a team-based sporting activity with performance mandates in order to be successful. Anxiety factors include a devaluation of self-regard and shame (Conroy, Willow & Metzler, 2002), something that detracts from the universal need for belonging and positive self-esteem development. In a competitive environment, having stability as an emotional construct is vital especially when competition is present and time-management a must, such as with football or baseball. An inherent tendency to express neurotic behaviours could lead to worry about performance or concern over whether the social environment will scrutinise their skills and abilities. Anxiety and even depression are sometimes linked to this particular personality trait (Erdheim & Wang, 2007). So, why mention the big five personality traits and the potential disorders that might be associated when determining what factors drive sporting as a lifestyle? There is a concept in the field of psychology known as locus of control, a personality dimension “distinguishing people who assume they are personally responsible for their life or those who believe outcomes depend on circumstances completely outside of their control” (Shaffer, 2007, p.507). People with an internal locus of control are usually more motivated with a more positive self-concept and can function effectively as ambitious go-getters that rely on the self for improvements and lifestyle advancement. However, those with external locus of control often blame others for their own failures and can develop hostility to others or simply remain unmotivated believing that external forces will undercut their performance goals. Sports participation, in virtually all varieties of activities, relies on team coordination and motivated individuals in order to meet performance outcome goals. It is unlikely that a person with an external locus of control would maintain the characteristics necessary to achieve high-competitive, high-motivated results and would therefore choose not to engage in sporting activities since drive is created, at the emotional level, by uncontrollable forces. Those with personalities that believe external forces are more powerful drivers will likely differ in the level to which they respond to criticism or approval from others. Billikopf (2009) identifies that all people differ in their personal sensitivity regarding comments or actions stemming from others in society and their ability to manage the stress created from these interactions. People with low emotional stability as part of their personality construct, when coupled with an external locus of control characteristic, could developed considerable stress, anxiety or neurotic behaviours that would not only be undesirable in sports, but put them on the constant defensive in the face of criticism. One who fits this profile that does not adapt readily to ongoing criticism, again a feature common in group sports with coaching principles, would be opening themselves for public failure and vulnerability. It would be self-defeating then for this type of personality to engage in sports and they would likely reject participation. There is another personality trait known as phallic narcissism, where they would struggle with the shame of being perceived as being weak and over compensate for this through competitiveness, aggressiveness and arrogance (Ronningstam, 2005). Narcissistic personalities actually perform best in highly competitive sporting scenarios as the aggressive tendencies coupled with high competition drive performance results. Even though these are unhealthy behaviours, sporting represents an ideal environment to express their over-compensatory tendencies and where they can be applauded by the social environment without fear of exposure for their internal emotional weaknesses. These individuals are considered some of the best performers in the sporting world for this reason. A narcissistic personality type would receive positive reinforcement when meeting performance goals, satisfying an intrinsic motivation. Under self-determination theory, intrinsically motivated individuals engage in an activity for pleasure and satisfaction (Ingledew, Markland & Sheppard, 2003). More aggressive sporting activities provide an ideal environment for this personality in a variety of ways without any fear of being exposed for weakness, despite the unhealthy over-compensation presented to mask their internal weaknesses whilst receiving desired social attention and glorification. In general, athletes in all sporting varieties have a higher level of ambition, better self-esteem and more motives toward power attainment (Ward, 2006). Personalities that border on extroversion and positive compliance thrive in sports and achieve higher results. However, there are the personality types that avoid situations which put them in vulnerable situations and sports could lead to anxiety if their locus of control is externally driven. For instance, boys tend to believe that a quality masculine physique and attractiveness are very important factors to attain popularity (Hendry, Shucksmith, Love & Glendinning, 1993). Men with a negative body image would generally be competing with more athletically-toned peers and this could breed considerable anxiety outcomes if they are not achieving the quality feedback and sense of belonging that comes from group affiliation and acceptance even if it is based in part on vanity. If this personality type with self-image problems reacts negatively in the face of more aggressive, high achieving athletic types, they will likely avoid sports involvement simply to avoid depression or other emotionally-charged unhealthy outcomes. Therefore, people with negative self-concept will likely not be apt to engage in sporting participation. Those that do not carry positive conscientiousness in their personality would be less compliant and less altruistic inherently. “Athletics simply do not attract boys who have been or are likely to become delinquent. A dislike for conformity inclines them to avoid organized sports” (Fullinwider, 2008, p.4). Even though this individual with this type of personality trait is not necessarily measuring himself against the opinion of others, a structured environment where peer feedback is common would be a distasteful environment and one would not find this personality type engaging in team-based sporting activities. Athletes also are known to be driven by personal ego needs, often suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder where incredible achievement is a measure to over-compensate for personal insecurities (Clarkson, 1999). This is similar to the narcissistic personality type in this measure. Sports provide this personality type with positive peer feedback when they perform to excellence standards, thus fulfilling belonging needs, and allow them to make personality deficiencies without calling public attention to their internal, emotional struggles. A personality type fitting this category that develops perfectionism as a means of over-compensating would tend to over-emphasize order and organisation (Anshel & Mansouri, 2005). In a team-based sporting environment, these would be considered valued qualities in relation to compliance expectations from peers and coaches. Therefore, sports participation would provide an ideal outlet to disguise their behavioural problems and still achieve needs fulfilment through positive social regard and also satisfy their tendency to over-emphasize organisation and avoid exposure for internal insecurities. Those with the big five characteristic of openness also tend to enjoy aesthetics and fantasy (Wiggins). Youths, at the same time, are inclined toward inspirational idols (Hargrave-Silk, 2004). Many different sporting activities propel both novice and experienced athletes into the public eye, giving them a sense of celebrity whether local or international. A personality type that is drawn to fantasy and appreciation for the idolisation that comes from sports would be an ideal candidate for this activity and would likely pursue it as it fills their universal, inherent need for belonging and the development of self-esteem. There are also personality types that are heavily reliant on the social environment and peer feedback, under inherent dependency needs. Gymnasts tend to receive positive feedback and are heavily reliant on the opinion, instruction and approval of coaches. A recent study of gymnasts identified that one of the most primary motivators was parent and coach involvement and feedback in their goal-setting and performance attainment (Gagne, Ryan & Bargmann, 2003). Dependent personalities, under a variety of potential psychological models, achieve mentor reinforcement of not only their accomplishments, but in terms of engaging the individual in group affiliation and social belonging. This, in turn, produces self-esteem in the fourth hierarchy of Maslow’s needs model, thus a fulfilment opportunity lies in sporting participation. Conclusion As identified, there are a series of mitigating factors directly associated to personality constructs that determine whether an individual in society participates in a variety of sporting events. It is a product of their own inherent motivations to achieve and belonging within a social network, especially noticeable with extroverted personalities or those with a high internal locus of control. People who engage in sports are typically individuals with a propensity for working well in structured organisations where compliance is a necessity in order to achieve performance results. Those with anxiety tendencies, anxiety, or concerns of being made to look vulnerable would likely avoid sporting scenarios for fear of failure or being perceived by the social environment as less competent than their other sporting peers. This is true for the narcissistic personality, those with neurotic personality development, or those who simply prefer unstructured lifestyle activities where compliance is not a requirement. It has been determined that sports participation is directly related to personality traits and fulfils a social belonging need (at least in some capacity) as a direct catalyst for choosing sports as a lifestyle or recreational activity. Whether the personality type is more adaptable and altruistic or whether it is more motivated by internal needs when measuring themselves against society will determine whether it can be predicted that this individual will seek sports for self-fulfilment. References Anshel, M. & Mansouri, H. (2005). “Influences of perfectionism on motor performance, affect and causal attributions in response to critical information feedback”, Journal of Sport Behaviour. 28(2), pp.99-125. Billikopf, G. (2009). “Conflict management skills”, University of California. 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