| Though some of the physical characteristics of elite athletes are known, much less is known about their psychological characteristics. Of the research directed toward the psychological characteristics of elite athletes, most has centered on athletes who are already elite. Little research, however, has been focused on the psychological characteristics that enable an aspiring athlete to become elite. The aim of this dissertation is to address this void. Based on previous research in sport and academic settings (Aronson, Fried, & Good, 2002; Blackwell, Trzesniewski, & Dweck, 2007; Duckworth & Seligman, 2005; Good, Aronson, & Inzlicht, 2003; Shoda, Mischel, & Peake, 1990; Tangney, Baumeister, & Boone, 2004; Wolfe & Johnson, 1995; Van Yperen, 2009), the psychological characteristics that are thought to predict success are goal commitment, coping style, willingness to seek social support, theory of athletic ability, and self-discipline. Twenty-four lacrosse players from a university in the Bay Area completed a psychological battery and throughout the season, their performance was evaluated. No significant results between the psychological variables of interest and performance were found. As a secondary finding, coping style was significantly related to deliberate practice. |
