Class 12 Physical Education Chapter 9 Psychology and Sports

Concept and Definitions
Reading the news clipping, did you wonder why a psychologist would be required to prevent athletes from dropping out, even though they have achieved success? If we were asked to analyse reasons why some sportspeople succeed despite all odds, surely, we will come up with adjectives like determined, persistent, courageous, dynamic, robust, etc. Sports psychologists have tried to answer these by relating them with various theories of personality.

Understanding personality has been an area of interest which is as old as our civilization. However, the concept of personality is still evolving and covers such a large range of phenomenon, that it is very difficult to include all the aspects of personality in one definition. The word personality is derived from the Latin word persona, the mask used by actors in the Roman theatre for changing their appearance for performing in-front of their audience according to the given role.

The actor performed as per the script or story wearing a particular mask. However, it didn’t mean that the actors possessed the desired qualities of the character in hemselves. Therefore, the concept of personality came to refer to an individual’s characteristic way of responding to other individuals and situations.

When we observe people around us, we are able to describe their actions and responses to different situations based on the combination of their individual thoughts, characteristics, behaviour, attitude, ideas and habits. We may represent them as shy, happy, courageous, aggressive etc. These characteristics are a representation of different components of personalities. Therefore, we can view personality as the relatively stable and unique characteristics of an individual across different situations and varied period of time.

An endomorphic somatotype, also known as viscerotonic type, is characterised by the social temperament type. The psychological characteristic traits of this somatotype include being relaxed, peaceful, comfortable, affectionate, loving, tolerant, and sociable. They are funloving, good- humoured, even-tempered people and they love food. The endomorph is physical ‘round’, with wide hips and narrow shoulders that give them a pear-shaped appearance because of extra fat on their body.

An ectomorph somatotype is also known as the cerebrotonic type. This personality type is characterised as an intelligent temperament. The psychological characteristic traits of this somatotype include intelligence, and emotional restraint. These people are introverts. Physically, they are always skinny, thin with narrow shoulders and hips with little fat on their body. Their personality tends to be self-conscious, socially anxious, quiet, reserved but artistic and thoughtful. They always keep to themselves and are afraid to branch out.

The mesomorph, known as the somatotonic type, is characterised by predominance of body over social and intellectual temperament. Physically they are well built with a muscular body, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. These individuals have very little fat on their body. Psychologically, the mesomorphs are active, combative, dominant, adventurous and courageous. They are assertive and prefer vigorous activity and display a keen interest in physical activities.