Sport psychology studies how thoughts, emotions, and behavior affect performance and well-being in sport and exercise. Practitioners use assessment, counseling, and evidence-based skills training, including goal setting, imagery, self-talk, attention control, and arousal regulation, to build confidence, focus, and resilience. Work also addresses team cohesion, motivation, injury recovery, and mental health, helping athletes and coaches thrive sustainably. It supports youth through elite sport. Please note that the questions require knowledge and not all questions are the same difficulty level. Ready for my sport psychology questions?

Multiple choice: Which type of motivation is most strongly linked with long-term

persistence in sport participation?
A) Motivation driven only by external rewards
B) Motivation driven by avoiding punishment
C) Motivation driven by enjoyment, interest, and personal value
D) Motivation driven by coach surveillance

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Short answer: Explain the difference between intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation in athletes.

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Fill in: A goal that is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound is called a __________ goal.

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True or False: Outcome goals are fully under the athlete’s control.

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Multiple choice: Which goal type best enhances daily training focus?
A) Outcome goal (for example, win the championship)
B) Process goal (for example, keep a tall posture on every sprint)
C) Dream goal (for example, be the best ever)
D) Fantasy goal (for example, run without fatigue)

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Short answer: Describe one way a coach can support athlete autonomy during practice.

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Fill in: The theory that emphasizes autonomy, competence, and relatedness as psychological needs is called __________.

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True or False: Giving only general praise such as “good job” is more effective than specific informational feedback.

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Multiple choice: Which statement best captures the Yerkes–Dodson principle for performance?
A) Lower arousal always produces better performance
B) Higher arousal always produces better performance
C) Optimal performance occurs at a moderate level of arousal that depends on the task
D) Arousal has no relation to performance

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Short answer: Define competitive state anxiety in clear terms.

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Fill in: The term for narrowing or broadening attention to match task demands is attentional __________.

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True or False: Somatic relaxation methods target thoughts directly rather than the body.

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Multiple choice: Which cueing strategy most often helps closed, precision skills under pressure?
A) Internal focus on body parts
B) External focus on the effect of the movement
C) No focus at all
D) Focus on the audience

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Short answer: Explain what a pre-performance routine is and why it helps.

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Fill in: The tendency for individuals to reduce effort when working in groups compared with working alone is called social __________.

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True or False: Task cohesion and social cohesion are the same construct.

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Multiple choice: Which leadership style most consistently predicts athlete satisfaction and effort?
A) Autocratic with no input from athletes
B) Laissez-faire with minimal guidance
C) Transformational leadership that inspires, supports, and models high standards
D) Micromanagement with constant correction

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Short answer: Define collective efficacy in a team sport context.

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Fill in: The motivational climate that emphasizes learning, effort, and personal improvement is called a __________-involving climate.

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True or False: Fear of failure only harms performance and cannot ever motivate effort.

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Multiple choice: Which imagery content is most useful for improving technique in a complex skill?
A) Only visualizing the trophy ceremony
B) Visualizing the kinesthetic feel, timing, and environment of the movement
C) Visualizing unrelated relaxing scenes
D) Visualizing opponents failing

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Short answer: Describe two characteristics of effective motivational self-talk.

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Fill in: The belief in one’s capability to execute a specific task is called self-__________.

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True or False: Confidence should always be maximized to the highest possible level.

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Multiple choice: Which factor most powerfully builds self-efficacy over time?
A) Verbal persuasion alone
B) Vicarious experience alone
C) Mastery experiences with successful practice
D) Physiological arousal alone

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Short answer: Explain what “choking under pressure” means in sport performance.

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Fill in: When athletes focus attention inward on mechanical details of a well-learned skill during pressure, it is called explicit __________.

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True or False: Mindfulness training aims to eliminate negative thoughts.

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Multiple choice: Which breathing pattern is most useful to down-regulate arousal quickly?
A) Fast shallow chest breathing
B) Breath-holding for as long as possible
C) Slow diaphragmatic breathing with extended exhalation
D) Random breathing

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Short answer: State one reason to integrate acceptance-based strategies into mental skills training.

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Fill in: The systematic alternation of muscle tensing and relaxing to reduce bodily arousal is called progressive muscle __________.

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True or False: Routines and rituals are the same because both are based on superstition.

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Multiple choice: Which feedback schedule best supports long-term learning of a new skill?
A) Constant feedback after every attempt
B) No feedback at all
C) Reduced or summary feedback that encourages self-evaluation
D) Feedback about outcomes only, never about process

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Short answer: Describe one method to prevent social loafing in team training.

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Fill in: The loss of performance efficiency caused by audience presence on complex tasks is called social __________.

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True or False: Cohesion always causes better performance regardless of other factors.

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Multiple choice: Which communication behavior is most likely to build trust with athletes?
A) Only giving directives
B) Active listening with empathic responses and clear expectations
C) Using sarcasm to motivate
D) Avoiding difficult conversations

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Short answer: Define role clarity and role acceptance in a team.

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Fill in: The process of reframing a stressor as a challenge rather than a threat is called cognitive __________.

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True or False: Pre-game music choice cannot influence arousal or mood.

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Multiple choice: Which psychological skill is most directly trained by mindfulness meditation?
A) Maximal strength
B) Sustained present-moment attention with nonjudgmental awareness
C) Aerobic capacity
D) Reaction time only

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Short answer: Explain the difference between trait anxiety and state anxiety in sport.

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Fill in: The belief that abilities can be developed with effort and strategies is called a __________ mindset.

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True or False: Imagery must always be done with eyes closed to be effective.

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Multiple choice: Which strategy is most effective for reducing the risk of choking under pressure?
A) Adding last-minute technical tips
B) Practicing under simulated pressure with focus cues and routines
C) Avoiding all pressure situations in training
D) Relying only on pep talks

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Short answer: State one way to foster a mastery-involving climate on a team.

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Fill in: A diary or log used to record thoughts, emotions, and performance cues is a performance __________.

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True or False: Punishment is the most effective way to change athlete behavior over time.

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Multiple choice: Which statement about perfectionism in athletes is most accurate?
A) Perfectionism always improves performance
B) Striving for high standards with self-compassion can be helpful, while harsh self-criticism is harmful
C) All perfectionism is harmful
D) Perfectionism has no relation to stress

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Short answer: Explain what “controllable controllables” means in performance preparation.

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Fill in: The process of mentally rehearsing how to cope with likely challenges is called coping __________.

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True or False: Group norms never influence individual behavior in teams.

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Multiple choice: Which factor most strongly predicts adherence to a mental skills program?
A) The number of worksheets assigned
B) The perceived usefulness and personalization of the skills
C) The cost of the program
D) The number of teammates in the room

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Short answer: Describe one ethical boundary for a sport psychology practitioner working with a team.

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Fill in: The sense of belonging and mutual care among teammates reflects the need for __________.

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True or False: Debriefs should focus only on mistakes to maximize learning.

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Multiple choice: Which instruction will most likely enhance motor learning for a novice?
A) “Swing better”
B) “Move the racquet to contact in front of the hip”
C) “Win the point”
D) “Do not miss”

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Short answer: Define resilience in the context of sport.

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Fill in: The gradual increase of stressors in practice to build tolerance is called progressive __________.

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True or False: Visualization quality depends only on visual detail, not on other senses.

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Multiple choice: Which team intervention is most likely to improve role acceptance?
A) Assign roles without explanation
B) Clarify roles, explain how they support goals, and invite input
C) Rotate roles randomly every game
D) Keep roles secret to motivate effort

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Short answer: Describe one strategy for effective sideline communication during games.

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Fill in: The harmful pattern of physical and emotional exhaustion, reduced accomplishment, and sport devaluation is called athlete __________.

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True or False: Time pressure always harms decision making in experts.

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Multiple choice: Which parental behavior best supports youth sport enjoyment and persistence?
A) Emphasizing winning at all costs
B) Providing autonomy-supportive encouragement and unconditional regard
C) Offering technical corrections after every mistake
D) Comparing the child to teammates

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Short answer: Explain why cultural competence matters in sport psychology practice.

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Fill in: The interpretive bias that attributes success to external factors and failure to internal flaws is a __________ attribution pattern.

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True or False: A single team meeting can permanently change team culture.

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Multiple choice: Which statement about injury rehabilitation adherence is most accurate?
A) It depends only on pain level
B) It is improved by clear goals, social support, and confidence in the plan
C) It is unaffected by mood
D) It is determined by personality alone

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Short answer: Describe one coping skill that helps athletes manage fear after injury when returning to play.

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Fill in: The perception that the rehabilitation plan will lead to recovery and return to play reflects treatment __________.

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True or False: Only the injured athlete needs support; teammates are unaffected.

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Multiple choice: Which practice structure most often enhances retention and transfer of skills?
A) Blocked practice of one skill at a time
B) Random practice that interleaves different skills
C) Endless repetition without variation
D) Only mental rehearsal without physical practice

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Short answer: Explain how self-compassion can aid performance after errors.

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Fill in: The belief that effort is diagnostic of low ability is a __________ belief.

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True or False: Pre-competition caffeine always improves performance for everyone.

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Multiple choice: Which measurement principle is essential when choosing a psychological questionnaire?
A) It should be short, regardless of quality
B) It should have evidence of reliability and validity for the target group
C) It should be free to use
D) It should have the most items possible

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Short answer: Describe one advantage of using brief reflective prompts in training journals.

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Fill in: When athletes intentionally direct attention to the feel and timing of a movement in practice, they are using physical __________.

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True or False: Modeling by a skilled teammate cannot influence confidence.

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Multiple choice: Which form of reinforcement best builds a new habit like daily imagery?
A) Only long-term rewards
B) Frequent immediate reinforcement paired with cues and tracking
C) Punishment for missed days
D) No reinforcement at all

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Short answer: Explain what an implementation intention is in the context of mental skills.

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Fill in: The tendency for attention to be captured by errors or threats is called attentional __________.

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True or False: Gratitude practices are irrelevant to athletic performance.

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Multiple choice: Which factor most directly supports confidence before high-stakes events?
A) Ignoring weaknesses completely
B) Evidence-based preparation and rehearsal of coping plans
C) Last-minute changes to technique
D) Avoiding feedback

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Short answer: Describe one way to reduce decision overload during competition.

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Fill in: The emotional energy that comes from shared purpose and coordinated action is team __________.

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True or False: Only athletes benefit from mental skills training; coaches do not.

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Multiple choice: Which debrief question best supports learning after a performance?
A) “Why did you fail?”
B) “What worked, what did not, and what is the next small adjustment?”
C) “Who is to blame?”
D) “Should we forget this game?”

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Short answer: Explain the difference between arousal regulation up-skills and down-skills with one example each.

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Fill in: When a leader communicates high expectations paired with support and resources, it is the __________ effect.

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True or False: Confidence cannot be trained; it is fixed at an early age.

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Multiple choice: Which aspect of the environment most strongly creates a mastery-involving climate?
A) Public ranking boards after every drill
B) Private, process-focused feedback and recognition of effort and improvement
C) Punishment for mistakes
D) Constant comparison of athletes

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Short answer: Describe one indicator that a team may need a norms reset.

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Fill in: The short, repeatable phrase used to anchor focus on a key action is a performance __________.

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True or False: Only negative emotions fuel high effort in competition.

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Multiple choice: Which practice design most reduces choking risk for a well-learned closed skill?
A) Only technique drills without time pressure
B) Simulated pressure with scoring, consequences, and routines
C) Only conditioning
D) Study of tactics without execution

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Short answer: Explain why clear values help athletes make decisions under stress.

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Fill in: When an athlete attributes success to effort and strategy and failure to controllable factors, this is an adaptive attributional __________.

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True or False: Mental fatigue cannot influence physical performance.

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Multiple choice: Which pair of skills most directly supports clutch performance?
A) Overthinking and constant analysis
B) Present-moment focus and trust in trained automaticity
C) Ignoring nerves and forcing relaxation
D) Copying another athlete’s routine

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Short answer: Describe one sign that an athlete may be at risk for burnout.

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Fill in: The structured, short-term plan that links daily actions to a bigger goal is a performance __________ plan.

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True or False: A single motivational speech can replace weeks of deliberate practice.

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Multiple choice: Which coaching behavior most consistently predicts athlete well-being?
A) Controlling language and threats
B) Autonomy-supportive communication and involvement
C) Ignoring athlete perspectives
D) Frequent public criticism

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Short answer: Explain one way to integrate mental skills into physical practice rather than keeping them separate.

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Fill in: When an athlete deliberately pays attention to present sensations during recovery, it is mindful __________.

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True or False: Team cohesion can be strengthened by shared adversity when leaders frame it as a collective challenge with clear support.

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Multiple choice: Which statement best characterizes effective self-talk under pressure?
A) Long, complex instructions
B) Brief, specific, controllable, and positively framed cues
C) Harsh self-criticism to increase effort
D) Random slogans unrelated to the task

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Short answer: Describe one reason to include gratitude or compassion practices on teams.

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Fill in: The shared understanding of how we do things here is team __________.

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True or False: Athletes should never adjust routines once they are established.

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Multiple choice: Which simple strategy most improves conversion on set plays under pressure?
A) More complex playbooks
B) Clear cue words, one breath, and one external focus target
C) Longer huddles with detailed analysis
D) Elimination of all signals

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Short answer: Explain how tiny habit design can support daily mental practice.

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Fill in: The deliberate practice of noticing and letting go of distractions is attention __________.

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True or False: Only individual sports require mental skills; team sports do not.