PSYC 3480 Chapter Notes - Chapter 25: Cognitive Restructuring

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 3480
• Professor: Anneke Olthof

Document Summary

Positive thinking is contagious and can lead to positive results: positive thinking and positive outcomes not automatically associated. Positive thinking by itself can"t produce positive results, can lead to skepticism and disillusionment if things don"t work out. For positive thinking to yield positive outcomes, athlete"s thoughts have to include intention, optimism, and positive mood. Intention = athlete"s readiness and desire to perform. Optimistic attitudes promote feeling that athlete is in control of own actions. Positive mood improves competitor"s ability to process information more efficiently. Positive self-talk and cognitive restructuring of negative thoughts can trigger optimism. Small distortions of reality, e. g. thinking that you and your team are better than your present record, can change mood and promote optimism. Athletes should always image success in play and never dwell on mistakes.