Aggression
- Direct aggression involves physical contact with others, such as a tackle in rugby or a punch in boxing.
- Indirect aggression doesn't involve physical contact and is aimed at an object, such as smashing a shuttle in badminton.
- Aggression within the rules can help performance; aggression outside the rules (such as a late, dangerous tackle) is deviant and can lead to punishment.
Personality
- Introverts are shy and quiet, and prefer their own company. They tend to suit individual sports needing concentration and fine skills, such as archery or long-distance running.
- Extroverts are sociable and outgoing, and get bored easily. They tend to suit team sports with fast action and high arousal, such as rugby or football.
- These are tendencies: people of any personality can enjoy any sport.
Motivation
- Intrinsic motivation comes from within: doing the sport for enjoyment, pride or satisfaction.
- Extrinsic motivation comes from outside, such as rewards. Tangible rewards can be touched (trophies, medals, money); intangible rewards can't (praise, applause).
- Intrinsic motivation is usually longer lasting. Too many extrinsic rewards can reduce it, but rewards can help beginners start.
Key terms
- Direct aggression
- Aggression involving physical contact with others.
- Indirect aggression
- Aggression aimed at an object, without contact with others.
- Introvert
- A person who is quiet, shy and prefers their own company.
- Extrovert
- A person who is sociable, outgoing and gets bored easily.
- Intrinsic motivation
- Motivation from within, such as enjoyment.
- Extrinsic motivation
- Motivation from outside, such as rewards.
- Tangible reward
- A reward that can be touched, such as a trophy.
- Intangible reward
- A reward that can't be touched, such as praise.
Practise Aggression, personality and motivation: 10 questions