[Latest] Psychology And Sports | Chapter 9 Notes | 2026

Last updated on February 7th, 2026 at 12:34 pm

Psychology And Sports

Psychology and sports deal with the positive behavior of sportspersons during training and competition period to increase performance.

It guides coaches and players to give individual attention regarding various method and various motivational techniques.

Personality

Personality is the sum total of an individual’s characteristics, including behavior, emotions, thoughts, and reacts to situations, especially under motivations. It influences how a person is pressured in sports.

Personality has four dimensions:

Types of Personality

Carl Jung’s Classification of personality

Carl Jung, a Swiss psychiatrist and the founder of analytical psychology, developed a comprehensive theory of personality. His work, particularly in the book Psychological Types (1921) Ambivert, Introvert, Extrovert

a. Introversion vs. Extraversion

Introverts:

• Prefer solitude and quiet environments.
• Gain energy from being alone.
• Thoughtful, reserved, and self-reflective.

Example: A chess player who enjoys solo practice and deep concentration.

Extraverts:

• Enjoy social interaction and group activities.
• Gain energy from being around others.
• Outgoing, talkative, and action-oriented.

Example: A team captain who thrives in group discussions and public speaking.

Ambiverts:

This term was not coined by Jung. It has come in recent years.

• Exhibit traits of both introverts and extraverts.
• Adapt their behaviour based on the situation or environment.
• Balanced, flexible, and comfortable in both social and solitary settings.

Examples: A student who actively participates in group projects but also enjoys studying alone in the library.

Big Five Theory Personality

The Big Five Theory, also known as the OCEAN Model, is one of the most widely accepted frameworks for understanding personality. It describes five broad traits that shape how people think, feel, and behave. Each trait exists on a spectrum-individuals may score high, low, or somewhere in between.

O-Openness to Experience

This trait shows how curious, imaginative, and open a person is to new ideas and experiences.

High Score:

• Creative, curious, open to change and new learning.
• Enjoys exploring new strategies or environments.

Low Score:

• Prefers routine, traditional methods, and familiar settings.
• Less interested in trying new things.

Example:

• A player with high openness may experiment with new training techniques of tactics.
• A player with low openness may stick to old routines and avoid change.

C-Conscientiousness

This trait shows how organized, responsible, and goal-focused a person is.

High Score:

• Disciplined, reliable, and careful in planning and execution.
• Follows schedules and maintains consistency.

Low Score:

• Careless, impulsive, and easily distracted.
• May skip practice or forget important tasks.

Example:

• A highly conscientious athlete sticks to their training plan and prepares thoroughly for matches.
• A low conscientious athlete may miss workouts or perform inconsistently.

E- Extraversion

This trait shows how outgoing, energetic, and socially active a person is.

High Score:

• Talkative, enthusiastic, enjoys teamwork and group activities.
• Feels energized around others.

Low Score:

• Quiet, reserved, prefers solo practice or reflection.
• May feel drained by too much social interaction.

Example:

• An extroverted player leads the team , huddles and motivates others.
• An introverted player prefers focusing quietly before a match.

A-Agreeableness

This trait shows how kind, cooperative, and empathetic a person is.

High Score:

• Friendly, helpful, and considerate of others’ feelings.
• Works well in teams and values harmony.

Low Score:

• Competitive, critical, and less concerned with others’ emotions.
• May struggle with teamwork or conflict resolution.

Clarified Example:

• A highly agreeable player supports teammates and encourages fair play.
• A less agreeable player may argue with referees or teammates.

N-Neuroticism

This trait shows how emotionally stable or sensitive a person is.

High Score:

• Anxious, moody, easily stressed or upset.
• May struggle under pressure or criticism.

Low Score:

• Calm, confident, and emotionally balanced.
• Handles stress and setbacks well.

Example:

• A player with low neuroticism stays cool and focused during a tense final match.
• A player with high neuroticism might feel nervous, lose confidence, or get distracted.

Sheldon’s Classification of Personality

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Motivation

Motivation is the internal drive that pushes an individual to act or achieve goals.

In sports, it fuels effort, persistence, and focus.

Types of Motivation

Intrinsic Motivation:

• Comes from within (e.g., love for the sport, personal satisfaction).
• Leads to long-term engagement and self-driven improvement.

Extrinsic Motivation:

• Comes from external rewards (e.g., medals, praise, money).
• Useful for short-term goals and competitive drive.

Techniques to Enhance Motivation

Goal Setting: Clear, achievable targets boost focus and commitment.

Positive Reinforcement: Praise and rewards encourage desired behavior. Visualization: Imagining success builds confidence.

Self-Talk: Encouraging inner dialogue improves mindset.

Team Support: Peer encouragement fosters belonging and effort.

Feedback: Constructive input helps refine performance.

Exercise Adherence: Reasons, Benefits & Strategies for Enhancing it

Exercise adherence refers to the commitment to regular physical activity over time.

Reasons for Adherence

• Desire for fitness or weight control
• Social interaction and enjoyment
• Stress relief and mental well-being
• Medical advice or rehabilitation

Benefits of Regular Exercise

• Improves cardiovascular health and muscular strength
• Enhances mood and reduces anxiety
• Boosts self-esteem and cognitive function
• Prevents lifestyle diseases (e.g., diabetes, hypertension)

Strategies to Enhance Adherence

• Setting realistic goals: Prevents discouragement
• Creating routines: Builds habit and consistency
• Tracking progress: Encourages
• accountability
• Group workouts: Adds social motivation
• Variety in activities: Prevents boredom
• Positive environment: Supportive coaches and peers

Aggression

• Aggression is forceful or hostile behavior intended to dominate or assert control.
• In sports, it can be constructive or destructive depending on context.

Concept

• Aggression may arise from competition, frustration, or emotional arousal.
• Controlled aggression can enhance performance; uncontrolled aggression may lead to penalties or injuries.

Types of Aggression

a. Hostile Aggression:

• Intent to harm (e.g., punching in anger).
• Often penalized in sports.

b. Instrumental Aggression:

• Goal-oriented (e.g., tackling to win possession).
• Accepted within rules.

c. Assertiveness:

• Firm but fair behavior (e.g., strong defense).
• Encouraged in competitive play.

Psychological Attributes In Sports

Self Esteem, Mental Imagery, Self Talk, Goal Setting

Psychological attributes play a vital role in athletic performance, helping athletes develop mental toughness, focus, and resilience. These attributes are as crucial as physical training for achieving success.

Self Esteem

a. Self-Esteem

• Belief in one’s worth and abilities.
• High self-esteem boosts confidence and resilience.
• Low self-esteem may lead to fear of failure.

b. Mental Imagery

• Visualizing successful performance or technique.
• Enhances focus, reduces anxiety, and improves execution.
• Used by athletes before competition or during recovery.

c. Self-Talk

• Internal dialogue that influences thoughts and emotions.
• Positive self-talk: “I can do this” – builds confidence.
• Negative self-talk: “I always mess up”-undermines performance.

d. Goal Setting

• Helps track progress and maintain motivation.
• Establishing short-term and long-term objectives.
• SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.

Psychology and sports chapter 9 CBSE, class 12 Physical Education notes. This cbse Physical Education class 12 notes has a brief explanation of every topic that NCERT  syllabus has.

You will also get ncert solutions, cbse class 12 Physical Education sample paper, cbse Physical Education class 12 previous year paper.

Frequently Asked Questions

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which one is not a part of Big Five personality theory?

a. Agreeableness

b. Neuroticism

c. Ambiversion

d. Extroversion

2. One of Sheldon’s Personality Theories is

a. Introvert

b. Ectomorph

c. Extrovert

d. Ambivert

3. Which is not a technique of extrinsic motivation?

a. Reward

b. Punishment

c. Self-appraisal

d. Audiovisual aids

4. How many types of aggression are there in sports?

a. 5 b. 3 c. 4 d. 6

5. Which is not a type of motivation?

a. Intrinsic motivation

b. Social motivation

c. Extrinsic motivation

Short Answer (SA) Type Questions

1. What is the role of psychology in sports?

Ans. Psychology plays a vital role in enhancing the performance of players to a great extent. Psychological factors like learning, interest, attitude, motivation, emotion, stress, etc., largely affect the performance of players. 

With the help of psychology, players as well as instructors can understand the weak areas and devise ways to bring improvement.

Therefore, the knowledge of psychology helps physical educators and coaches to understand the behavior of players and how desirable changes and modifications can be brought into their behavioral patterns to improve the level of their performance.

2. Explain the meaning of personality with the help of definitions.

Ans. Personality is basically a set of characteristics like attitude, habits, traits, etc., possessed by a person which greatly influences his motivation, emotion and behavior in different situations. 

It reveals the psychological makeup of an individual through his behavior. Personality is a dynamic and continuous process of learning in which an individual acquires different psychological characteristics. 

The word ‘personality’ is also used to represent all the factors inherited or acquired, which make up an individual. 

Some definitions of personality are as follows

According to Warren, “Personality is the entire organization of a human being at any stage of development.”  

According to Guildford, “Personality is an individual’s unique pattern of traits which distinguishes one individual from the other.” 

3. What are the types of personality as given by Sheldon?

Or Discuss the Sheldon types of personality in detail. (CBSE 2020)

Ans. The personality type on the basis of physical attributes is given by William Herbert Sheldon. These are as follows

(i) Endomorphs. They have a pear-shaped and rounded physique. They have short arms and legs. They are more inclined to become obese.

They are most suitable for activities in which great strength is required. Sports like weight-lifting and power-lifting are most suitable for endomorphs.

(ii) Ectomorphs. They are usually referred to as slim persons because their muscles and limbs are elongated. They have great difficulty in gaining weight.

They have flat chest and have less muscle mass. They are best suited for games and sports like gymnastics.

(iii) Mesomorphs. They are somewhere between endomorph and ectomorph.

They have broad shoulders, narrow waist (wedge shaped), muscular body, strong limbs and average body fat.

They are well proportioned. They are physically capable of doing a lot of activities and tend to be athletically aggressive. They are adventurous, energetic and competitive.     

4. Write any three personality types that are formulated by Carl Jung.

Ans. The types that are formulated by Carl Jung are described as follows

(i) Extroverts-Introverts An extrovert is more open as the direction of energy is derived and expressed in the external world, environment and surroundings. On the other hand, an introvert is mainly confined to the internal world.

(ii) Sensing-Intuition Sensing means that the person perceives information that he receives through the senses or external world.  

On the other hand, intuition means that the person believes mainly the information that he receives  through the inner self or imaginary world.

(iii) Thinking-Feeling Thinking means a person processes or makes a decision by logical reasoning.

On the other hand, feeling means that a person  processes information based on emotions.

5. Differentiate between Extroverts and Introverts.

Ans. The differences between extroverts and introverts are as follows:

Extroverts	Introverts
They are very outgoing, confident, lively and make friends easily.	They are reserved, too self-conscious and more interested in their own thoughts and ideas.
Actors politician group leaders are extroverts	Actors politicians group leaders are extroverts
Extroverts are more open as the direction of energy is derived and expressed in the external world,	Introverts are mainly confined to their internal world i.e. their own self.

6, Extrinsic motivation may sometimes kill intrinsic motivation Justify?

Ans. Intrinsic motivation is within the individual and guides him to perform better. It is based on needs, interests, nature, emotions, social needs etc.

Sometimes extrinsic motivation may kill intrinsic motivation because the physical appearance of something

i.e. reward or punishment has more influence on the mind of an athlete than his own desire to succeed. Therefore, it is important to encourage students to achieve excellence rather than rely on rewards and punishments only.

7. What is meant by motivation? Explain any two techniques of motivation for higher achievement in sports.    (All India 2017)

Ans. Motivation means a process through which an individual is inspired or stimulated to act in a particular fashion or manner towards a particular direction. Techniques of  motivation for higher achievement in sports are as follows

(i) Active Participation: Active involvement of the coach/teacher develops healthy competition and interaction between the students. Teachers are able to identify the problems and explain how to solve those problems.

(ii) Rewards Announcing. Rewards that will be given, once the tasks are completed successfully, has a great effect on a person’s performance.

For example, parents give chocolates to their children for good performance. Rewards are of various types and help in achieving the goal, like cash, prize, job, professional security, honor, social status, etc.

8. Discuss in detail any three techniques of motivation.    (CBSE 2020)

Ans. The three techniques of intrinsic motivation are as follows 

(i) Knowledge of the Goal. It is one of the most important techniques of motivation. A person should be made aware of the attainment of the goal. The player should be acquainted well with the aim and objectives of the goal.

For example, telling the player that the goal is to cover a 100 m distance in the shortest time. In this, knowledge of the goal helps the player to reach it,

(ii) Equipment and Surroundings. Modern equipment and healthy surroundings like well-maintained playgrounds, the latest sports equipment, etc., act: as motivating factors for high performance.

(iij) Positive Attitude. A positive attitude enhances the level of intrinsic motivation and helps in accepting external motivation, Sportsperson with a positive attitude gives his/her best to win the game.

Such people always show confidence in themselves despite having difficult situations. Coaches and trainers also play an important role in imparting a positive attitude. 

9. What are the types of aggression? (CBSE 2020)

Ans. There are three types of aggression in sports. They are as follows

(i) Instrumental Aggression. The main aim is to achieve a goal by using aggression. For example, a footballer uses aggression to tackle his opponent by high-intensity play without harming anyone.

(ii) Hostile Aggression. The main aim is to cause harm or injury to the opponent. It is usually an unplanned, impulsive reaction. For example, a bowler throws a bouncer to deliberately injure the batsman.

(iii) Assertive Behavior. It is also referred to as assertive aggression. It is generally seen as a positive form of aggression. On the ground, it simply means to stand up for your values in an unthreatening manner and involves the use of legitimate physical or verbal force to achieve one’s goals.

10. Explain Assertive behavior in detail.

Ans. Assertive behavior is also referred to as assertive aggression. It is generally seen as a positive form of aggression. On the ground, it simply means to stand up for your values in an unthreatening manner and involves the use of legitimate physical or verbal force to achieve one’s goals.

For an act to be assertive, it must be a goal-directed with no specific intention to harm along with the use of legitimate force with no rules broken.

Thus, assertive behavior should include four components tiz. it should be goal-oriented, should not be intended to harm, should use only legitimate force and should not break any rule of the sport. 

11. Why do players show hostile aggression on the field?

Ans. Players who want to achieve success quickly or are not able to manage their emotions, show hostile aggression towards another player.

Sometimes players lose their self-control or are not able to manage humiliation and feel hurt and insulted, then they show hostile aggression as a form of revenge. 

Usually, new players show greater hostility than experienced players. Such aggression is against the spirit of the game. Hostile aggression may also arise as a result of bad feelings, jealousy, insecurity, and threats. 

Here, the aim is to harm the player who becomes the reason for bad feelings. However, hostile aggression may be planned or unplanned to cause injury to the intended player on the field.

12. Distinguish between instrumental and hostile aggression.

Ans. The differences between instrumental and hostile aggression are as follows:

Instrumental Aggression	Hostile Aggression
It is a positive kind of aggression as the aim is to achieve a goal/target.	It is a negative kind of aggression as the aim is to cause harm or injury to others.
It arises from the need to excel and to do better.	It arises from insults, hurt feelings, jealousy and threats.
Here, the aim is to excel by improving their own performance	Here, the aim is to excel but devising ways to reduce the performance of others.

 Long Answer (LA) Type Questions

1. Explain the structure of personality. Describe the role of sports in developing the personality. (Delhi 2016)

Ans. The word ‘personality’ is derived from the Latin word ‘persona’ meaning ‘the mask’. In ancient Greece, the actors used to wear masks to hide their identities while portraying their roles in a theatrical play.

To an ordinary person, the word ‘personality’ conveys the meaning of one’s physical appearance, his habits, his ways of dressing, his reputation, his manners and other similar characteristics. 

Sports plays an important role in developing the personality in the following ways

(i) Development of Physique. A good physique can be developed by regular training which becomes simple by participation in sports. A well-built physique exhibits a good personality that is attractive and impressive.

(ii) Relieves stress. Stress can be relieved by playing any type of sport. Sports help one combat anxiety, depression and stress. When the stress is relieved from the person, it improves the personality of that person,

(iii) Social Skills. Sports help in developing social skills as players play together. bond with each other, share their problems and worries as well as cooperate with each other.

(iv) Discipline. Sports help in making a person disciplined as it is essential to practise, and complete all the tasks on time without fear of failure. This helps in making a good personality.

2. What is a personality trait? Explain the related theory in detail.

Or Elaborate any three components of the Big Five Theory of personality. (CBSE 2020)

Ans. Personality trait refers to the qualities or characteristics that describe a personality. In order to classify different personalities, they are divided into five parts which is known as the Big Five personality model.

Each part of the model describes a personality trait which is as follows

(i) Openness. Refers to how a person is inclined to face cultural norms. Its characteristics are imagination, and insight. creativity, adventurous and abstract thinking. They are open to change.

(ii) Conscientiousness. Refers to a dutiful and disciplined life. The characteristics include a high level of thoughtfulness, good impulse control, goal-directed behaviors and risk-taking ability.

(iii) Extroversion. It refers to the type of emotional expression and attitude. It’s characteristics include sociability, talkativeness and assertiveness. It shows how social a person is, or how loving, caring and warm.

(iv) Agreeableness. Refers to attributes like cooperation, kindness, trust, affection and other social behaviors. It also shows a dependable, trustworthy and caring personality.

(v) Neuroticism. Refers to nervousness, worrying nature and anxiety. The characteristics are sadness, moodiness, emotional instability and irritability.

3. Discuss the psychological benefits of exercise in detail.

Ans. The psychological benefits of exercise are as follows

(i) Enhanced Mood. Exercise increases the supply of certain neurotransmitters in the brain that keep one happy as well as boosting endorphins which are ‘feel-good’ chemicals. These chemicals help in uplifting the mood, thereby reducing depression.

(ii) Reduces Anxiety and Stress. Exercise is correlated to a reduction in anxiety as exercise stimulates anti-anxiety. It removes the build-up of stress hormones in the body. Exercise also improves sleep which helps in reducing stress.

(iii) Improved Self-Esteem. Exercise has a positive influence on our perception of ourselves, providing a sense of accomplishment as we master skills, and improve our body image and self-worth. It is a part of a positive coping strategy.

(iv) Emotional Control. Exercise helps to control various emotions such as depression, anger and anxiety. It also helps to channel the emotions in a positive way. This helps in the overall development of an individual.

(v) Keep Mentally Fit. Regular exercise prevents degenerative diseases that occur with age. This prevents cognitive decline by keeping the brain healthy. As a result, a person doing regular exercise is mentally fit.

4. What are the reasons behind doing exercises?

Ans. The main reasons behind doing exercises are as follows

(i) Longevity People who are physically active live longer. Regular exercise habits reducesÅhe risk of dying prematurely.

(ii) Weight Control. Regular physical activity helps to reach and maintain a healthy weight. Exercises speed up the rate of energy usage, resulting in increased metabolism. When metabolism increases,  the body weight remains under control.

(iii) Bone Strength. An active lifestyle benefits bone density. Regular weight-bearing exercise promotes bone formation, delays bone loss and protects against osteoporosis (a form of bone loss associated with aging).

(iv) Strong Immune System. Regular exercise is beneficial for the immune system. Exercise or physical activity may help flush bacteria out of the lungs and airways.

This increases the immunity of the body and reduces the chance of getting a cold, flu, or other illness.

(v) Cholesterol Lowering Effect. Physical exercise favorably influences blood cholesterol levels in our body. Exercise positively alters cholesterol metabolism by increasing the production and action of several enzymes in the body.

(vi) Improves Psychological Health. Exercise plays a vital role in improving and maintaining our psychological or emotional health as it releases chemicals like endorphins into our brain which makes us feel happier,

It also helps in combating the problems of anxiety, depression and stress. It can help in improving the self-esteem and self-confidence of an individual.

(vii) Enhanced Physical Appearance. Exercise can enhance our physical appearance and help us to maintain a healthy physical appearance for a healthy life.

Case-Based Questions

1. Carl Lewis is a renowned long jumper. Whenever he is going to jump in a competition, he asks the audience to clap their hands till the completion of his jump. (CBSC Question Bank 2021) 

(i) What do you understand by motivation?

Ans. Motivation means inspiration, an inner urge to do something or to achieve a target or a goal.

(ii) How many types of motivation are there?

Ans. There are two types of motivation. These are intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic means internally motivated and extrinsic means motivation from outside.

2. Vijay is a football player at Kennedy School. He is famous for his aggressive play on the field. Because of his aggression, he scored many goals. At the same time, he was punished for his aggressive behavior with his opponent.

(i) In what ways do players show aggressive behavior?

Ans. Players show aggressive behavior by hitting or using abusive language. They may also push, insult, or threaten other players.

(ii) What kind of aggression is shown by Vijay?

Ans. The land of aggression shown by Vijay is hostile aggression. He may have insulted, hurt, or used abusive languages against other players and he was punished for the same.

3. The knowledge of psychology helps the physical educators and the coaches to understand the behavior of players and how desirable changes and modifications can be brought into their behavioral patterns to improve the level of their performance. Based on this passage, answer the questions.

(i) What is sports psychology?

Ans. It is the branch of psychology that deals with the study of human behavior on the playing field, both under Preeti and in competitive situations, to bring out qualitative improvement.

(ii) Which psychological factors affects the players ?

Ans. Factors like interest, attitude, stress, motivation, aggression, jealousy, anxiety, etc, affects players.

Final Words

From the above article you must have learnt about ncert cbse class 12 Physical Education notes of chapter 9 Psychology and sports. We hope that this crisp and latest Physical Education class 12 Term 2 notes will definitely help you in your exam.