Problems in Athletic Performance: Ben Simmons
Outcomes
This assessment will evaluate your mastery with respect to the following course outcomes:
Evaluate common problems in athletic performance within the context of psychological issues related to athletic competition
Relate key theories from multiple areas of psychology including personality, motivation, and biopsychology to major concepts in the field of sport psychology
Analyze the relationship between athletic competition and the pursuit of excellence in other human endeavors
Critically evaluate current research relevant to sport psychology and theories of athletic competition
Prompt:
Case Introduction
Provide general information on a current athlete, including his or her full name, age, gender, sport, current team affiliation (if applicable), and a summary of his or her achievements.
Briefly describe background information of the athlete—any notable developmental concerns, educational issues, medical problems, or substance abuse that might be affecting the athlete’s performance.
Evaluate the athlete’s current issues regarding his or her athletic performance. To what extent are psychological issues impacting his or her athletic performance?
Evaluation
To what extent are issues of personality at play in the athlete’s performance problems? Defend your claims with specific examples and major concepts in the field of sport psychology.
To what extent are issues of motivation at play in the athlete’s performance problems? Defend your claims with specific examples and major concepts in the field of sport psychology.
To what extent are issues of biopsychology at play in the athlete’s performance problems? Defend your claims with specific examples and major concepts in the field of sport psychology.
To what extent are other aspects of psychological theories or concepts influencing the athlete’s athletic performance (e.g., addiction, disorders)?
Plan of Action
What specific recommendations should be made to improve the athlete’s psychological well-being? Relate each recommendation to a concept or theory in sport psychology and substantiate each recommendation using a scholarly resource.
What motivational theories could one utilize to help improve the athlete’s performance? Substantiate each recommendation using a scholarly resource.
How would the recommended plan of action help the athlete regain his or her elite status? Discuss potential improvements related to each problem identified in the case introduction.
Implications
To what extent is your plan of action applicable to an “average” athlete struggling with a similar problem?
In what ways might the problem and plan of action relate to other human endeavors outside of athletic competition? Provide specific examples to illustrate your claims.
Problems in Athletic Performance
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Course Code & Title
Professor’s Name
Date
Case Initiation
The chosen athlete for this initiative is Australian point guard Ben Simmons, 26, who now plays for the Brooklyn Nets after formerly playing for the Philadelphia 76ers. Simmons gained notoriety in the world of basketball at a young age. Simmons succeeded in school, receiving accolades and fellowships along the way. In 2016, he was chosen by the Philadelphia 76ers with the first general pick, and he was named Rookie of the Year. Simmons' performance was significantly damaged by a fall in confidence, drive, and consistency in 2021. He battled with missed free throws in a pivotal game seven against the Atlanta Hawks and squandered simple scoring chances. That game and the Philadelphia 76ers' opportunity to go to the championship were lost. Simmons disclosed his psychological problems to his team following the game's conclusion. Still, regardless of having medical attention for a back ailment, he neglected to seek aid from the team medics.
Simmons was traded to the Brooklyn Nets by the Philadelphia 76ers owing to his mental health issues and refusal to seek assistance. Since joining the Nets, he has played fewer than 20 games due to physical and mental health difficulties. His back condition and mental health issues have seriously prevented him from functioning to the best of his abilities. Ben Simmons may have had performance challenges as a result of personality disorders. He was quiet, cautious, and self-critical. It may be difficult for him to handle pressure and criticism from others because of his propensity to keep his emotions under wraps and be the "strong silent type." This is consistent with ideas from sport psychology, such as how personality qualities affect performance. For instance, the Big Five personality qualities, especially neuroticism, and conscientiousness, might affect how well an athlete perceives himself and how they react to stress.
Evaluation
Personality characteristics have a significant impact on how an athlete behaves and performs. Ben Simmons' reserved demeanor may make it difficult for him to freely express his feelings, get support, or successfully interact with teammates and coaches. Their on-court chemistry and overall performance may suffer due to the team dynamic lacking coherence and understanding (Hogan, 2021). Self-criticism is both a strength and a weakness. Excessive self-criticism may undermine confidence and impair performance, even if self-reflection and self-evaluation are crucial for growth and development.
Motivational issues. Simmons' waning motivation and inconsistent behavior indicate that motivational problems influence his athletic performance. His unwillingness to make simple shots and his perception of criticism from teammates and spectators indicate a decline in inner desire. Motivational theories, such as the self-determination theory, may explain how an athlete's motivation and performance are influenced by the satisfaction of psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness). Simmons's decreased motivation can result from needing to feel more competent and autonomous to handle demands.
In athletics, motivation is a crucial factor in performance. Ben Simmons's lack of drive may be linked to several things. The atmosphere of criticism from teammates and supporters detracted from his natural desire. He may not have taken simple shots because of the stress of living up to expectations and the worry that he might make a mistake. Self-determination theory holds that motivation occurs when people's fundamental psychological demands for autonomy, competence, and relatedness are met. Simmons' will to provide his best effort may be diminished if he perceives a lack of control or proficiency in his skills.
Bio psychological problems. Simmons has had physical and psychological problems, including back and knee pain and mental health problems. Bio-psychological factors, such as the interaction of physiological and psychological processes, may affect an athlete's performance (Ferguson, 2020). For example, his physical injuries might cause emotional responses that lead to annoyance, hopelessness, and a lack of motivation. This aligns with the theory that physical injuries may disclose or exacerbate mental health problems.
Sports psychology recognizes the link between physical and mental wellness. Ben Simmons' physical problems, such as those to his back and knees, may affect his mental state. His physical limits, mental misery from prolonged pain, and fear of reinjury may hinder his job. Mental health disorders may worsen due to the psychological stress of injuries, rehabilitation, and the uncertainty of recovery. To optimize an athlete's well-being and performance, they must enhance their physical and mental health.
Other psychological factors. The examp...