Thesis-2005-Douglas.pdf (10.28 MB)
The functional significance of action-state orientation in athletic performance
thesis
posted on 2014-04-02, 14:13 authored by Caroline C. DouglasThis thesis investigated the functional significance ofthe personality construct
of action-state orientation (Kuhl, 1981), which is suggested to mediate the efficiency
of the volitional approach taken to overcome the difficulties associated with goal
initiation, maintenance and completion under competitive pressure. The role of
volition, defined as 'the act of deciding upon a course of action and initiating it' [Syn.
Will] (German Dictionary of psychology, 1934, p.283) in sport has emerged from
unequivocal findings taken from coaches and athletes regarding the effectiveness of
goal setting as a performance enhancement strategy (Burton, Weinberg, Yukelson &
Weigand, 1998; Weinberg, Burton, Yukelson & Weigand, 2000). Further research
exploration of goal setting practices concluded that the most realistic explanation for
the lack of goal attainment when utilising goal setting is the lack of an adequate
'action plan' (Burton, Naylor & Holliday, 2000). Whilst goal setting is a process of
motivation that ends with a decision to act (Beckmann, 2002; Heckhausen, 1991;
Kuhl, 1987), the processes of goal initiation and completion are related to action plans
and goal striving, which are issues of volition (Kuhl, 1984; Latharn 2000). Volitional
competence is determined by the opposing personality dispositions of action- versus
state-orientation. Action-orientation is characterised by an efficient present focus on
action and making plans under pressure, whereas state-orientation is associated with
an increased propensity to ruminate over real or imagined failure and the state the
individual is in, rather than focus on the task at hand (Kuhl, 1994a).
Study 1 explores the performance strategies and coping skills utilised by
action- and state-oriented athletes under competitive pressure. Scores on the Athlete
Coping Skills Inventory (ACSI-28; Smith, Schultz, Smoll & Ptacek, 1995)demonstrated a significantly higher usage of goal setting, relaxation and imagery as
well as better emotional control and lower levels of negative thinking in the actionoriented
group. Results from the Test of Performance Strategies (TOPS; Thomas,
Murphy & Hardy, 1999) showed comparable scores between action- and stateoriented
athletes in the areas of self-talk and coachability. A similarity which
highlights an increased propensity in state-oriented athletes to submit to external
control and the beliefs of others in preference to their own personal judgement.
Study 2 documents the impact of 5-month intervention with endurance athletes
to enhance volitional functioning and self-access to their personal wants, needs and
beliefs utilising Personality Systems Interaction theory (PSI; Kuhl, 2000a), which
contends volition efficiency is facilitated by positive affect. Eight out of eleven
baseline state-oriented athletes scores on the Volitional Components Inventory (VCI;
version 6, US-I; Kuhl & Fuhrmann, 1998) showed significantly improved differences
in 23 out of a total 35 areas of volitional functioning, including enhanced levels
(p
History
School
- Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences
Publisher
© C.C. DouglasPublication date
2005Notes
A Doctoral Thesis. Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Doctor of Philosophy of Loughborough University.EThOS Persistent ID
uk.bl.ethos.429009Language
- en