鈥淵ou鈥檙e only as good as your weakest link鈥? Implicit theories of golf ability

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• 作者：Matthew J. Slater^a ; ^{m.slater@staffs.ac.uk} ; Christopher M. Spray^b ; Brett M. Smith^b
• 关键词：Golf ability ; Grounded theory ; Antecedents ; Specific beliefs ; Ceiling effects
• 刊名：Psychology of Sport and Exercise
• 出版年：2012
• 期刊代码：227_14690292
• 类别：med
• 出版时间：May, 2012
• 卷：13
• 期：3
• 页码：280-290
• 文件大小：292 K

摘要

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to examine the antecedents, specificity, and ceiling effects of golfers鈥?implicit theories of sport ability.

Design

The present study employs a qualitative research design. A constructivist grounded theory methodology was adopted.

Method

Participants (N聽=聽8) were asked to describe their conceptions of golf ability. All responses were recorded, transcribed, and the data were analyzed through a series of iterations, which led to the identification of three dimensions that constitute golfers鈥?beliefs about ability.

Results

The three dimensions were: acquirable ability, stable ability, and developing natural attributes. Categories within these dimensions offer initial evidence for the role of social agents and the inherent culture of golf in shaping co-existing beliefs in relation to sport ability. Beliefs with regards to ceiling effects of ability are reported, with one theme proposing a ceiling to sport ability, and a contrasting category exemplifying the belief that there is always room for improvement.

Conclusions

The present study contributes to the field by offering initial evidence for the antecedents, specificity, and ceiling effects of golfers鈥?conceptions of their sport ability. Implications, both theoretical in terms of future research, and practical with regards to practitioners鈥?role in educating athletes and cultivating an environment conducive to the perception that sport ability is acquirable, are offered.