Sports, Exercise and Health Science · C.5 Psychological skills

SEC.5.1 — Goal setting

Sports, Exercise and Health Science · SL / HL · syllabus-mapped notes

1. SEC.5.1.1

   Goal setting

   Goal setting directs attention to a specific task. It is regularly used to enhance motivation in sport, exercise and health.

2. SEC.5.1.1.1

   Outcome goals

   Outcome goals are norm-referenced and use an objective result as the target.

3. SEC.5.1.1.2

   Learning-focused goals

   Learning-focused goals include performance goals and process goals.

4. SEC.5.1.1.3

   Performance goals

   Performance goals are self-referenced and specify a measurable target, representing an improvement in performance.

5. SEC.5.1.1.4

   Process goals

   Process goals are self-referenced and focus on the technique or strategy required to execute a skill successfully.

6. SEC.5.1.1.5

   Matching the goal to the individual

   The effectiveness of each type of goal depends on the individual and their achievement motivation.

7. SEC.5.1.2

   The goal-setting paradox

   The goal-setting paradox explains that elite athletes often feel less satisfied when a higher goal is achieved than an easier goal. This is thought to be the result of feelings of deflation after success.

8. SEC.5.1.2.1

   Goal adjustment

   Goal adjustment is considered more important than goal setting.

9. SEC.5.1.2.2

   Do-your-best and open goals

   Research suggests that some individuals perform best with “do-your-best” goals or “open” goals.