Category Archives: Psychology

The Waltons are a large family living together, consisting of a mother, a father, 4 boys and 3 girls, a grandmother and a grandfather. This family lives together and functions as family. For example, they all sit down together for a family meal together for dinner every night. Every member of this family is expected to be at that dinner. How would developmental psychologists classify this family?

a. As a traditional nuclear family

b. As a coparenting family

c. As an extended family

d. As an economically distressed family

Research examining children’s behavior after watching an episode of Power Rangers found

a. no differences in level of aggressiveness between children who did or did not watch Power Rangers.

b. differences in level of aggressiveness between children who did or did not watch Power Rangers, but only for children who were initially classified as highly aggressive.

c. differences in level of aggressiveness between children who did or did not watch Power Rangers, butonly for children who were initially classified as low in aggressiveness.

d. differences in level of aggressiveness between children who did or did not watch Power Rangers, for boys but not for girls.

Ferdie is spending too much time playing softball and not enough time studying, so he signs up for “sportaholic therapy” (ST). The therapist tells him the cure for his “addiction” is to quit softball cold turkey and tap his temples three times whenever he feels the urge to play. After a few months, Ferdie announces that ST isn’t helping and he’s going to stop coming. The therapist gives him testimonials of clients who swear by ST, adding that Ferdie’s doubts are actually a sign that the therapy is working. What is the major scientific flaw in this argument? (Bonus: What kind of therapy might help Ferdie manage his time better

1.    How might you tailor coaching strategies to individuals who are trying to deal with stress and

anxiety? Give an example.

2.  Discuss three implications for professional practice that you derived from the theories and scientific

data in this chapter.

3.  The chapter begins with the story of Jason coming to bat in a pressure situation. Given what you

have learned, what could Jason do to manage his anxiety and play well? How could you help him

view his anxiety as facilitative rather than debilitative?

1.  How might you tailor coaching strategies to individuals who are trying to deal with stress and

anxiety? Give an example.

2.  Discuss three implications for professional practice that you derived from the theories and scientific

data in this chapter.

3.  The chapter begins with the story of Jason coming to bat in a pressure situation. Given what you

have learned, what could Jason do to manage his anxiety and play well? How could you help him

view his anxiety as facilitative rather than debilitative?

1.   How do boys and girls view competition differently? What are some of the causes of these

differences?

2.  Discuss the notion of decompetition versus competition as put forth by Shields and Bredemeier.

3.   Johnson and Johnson favor cooperation over competition. However, they say there is a limited

place for competition under certain conditions. Discuss these conditions, including your reasons for

agreeing or disagreeing. 9. Discuss the value of cooperation in business and military settings.

1.  What strategies can be used to combat sexual prejudice in sport and physical activity settings?

2.  What is the relationship between diversity and performance? What explanations are given for this

relationship?

3.  As part of an exchange program, you are traveling with a sports team to Tanzania. What are some

implicit biases or blind spots that might characterize your thoughts, feelings, and actions when

interacting with the athletes and coaches from that country?

1.  Do you think that you fall prey to weight bias? What about your classmates? If so, why? How might

weight bias negatively influence physical activity participation of people who are overweight or

obese? What should you do if a classmate is demonstrating weight bias?

2.   You have befriended an international student who joined your athletic team but has never been

out of her home country before. Based on what you know about acculturating immigrant athletes,

design a program to help her make the transition to your team and a new country

Discuss how measuring cohesion has developed via questionnaires.

2.   Findings in the research literature on the cohesion–performance relationship have been

inconsistent. Explain whether or how the types of instruments used to measure these two factors

and the demands of the task have affected this relationship.

3.   Although researchers have focused on the cohesion–performance relationship, cohesion appears

to be related to several other potentially important variables. Discuss the relationship of cohesion

to four factors other than performance.

1.  Although it is often considered the job of a coach to build

team cohesion, athletes can also help in the process. If you were an athlete on a team lacking

cohesion, what might you do to build your team’s unity?

2.   How could you enhance group cohesion among participants in exercise classes?

3.   You are a new coach who has inherited a high school team that had a great deal of dissension and

in-fighting last season. Using the guidelines provided in this chapter, discuss what you would do

before and during the season to build both task and social cohesion and identify team values in

your team. Support your plan with research where appropriate.