Magical Matt the Magician

Matt left this post in the comments section of the blog so I'm reposting his questions along with my responses.

Hey I don't see any place at the top right to post a bulletin so hopefully you
see this here but I just had a few questions that I haven't been able to answer
and was hoping you could help me out.


_________________ Are designed to protect the consumer.

Don't worry about this type of question; fill in the blanks will not be on the exam. However, I would definitelly know about the ethical issues we discussed in class.

Mrs. Kim notices her daughter is easily upset during practice. During games she seems more relaxed and at home she is temperamental. Mrs. Kim decided to take her daughter to a psychologist to be evaluated. Name three possible instruments that the psychologist could use to measure Mrs. Kim’s daughter’s mood state and elaborate on instrument by describing how and what is being measured.

Since we didn't go over 3 different instruments to measure mood states in class, this won't be on the midterm. However, I would definitely know the POMS.

This goal type emphasizes the desire for social acceptance through conformity to norms while displaying maximum effort. What is it?

Definitely worth knowing the answer. It's in the book. Again, the form of the question won't be like this -- but the content could show up on the test.

What is the difference between introvert, and extrovert? Describe an example of each, and briefly explain their role related behaviors.

Have a general idea of introvert/extrovert. Definitely know what role-related behaviors are and how they relate to personality.

Based on their personality, is it a great way to predict their performance?

Should be in your notes from class. Look at the notes on personality.

Already being down three games to one in the NLCS against the Philadelphia Phillies, Manny Ramirez of the Los Angeles Dodgers is up to bat with the burden of keeping his newly adopted team’s hopes alive for a run at the title rest on his one crucial swing. Unfortunately, Manny cannot swing for the life of him and winds up crushing the dreams and hearts of teammates and fans alike. Which theory best describes his reason for choking at the plate?

Great question. I would imagine you'll see something like it on the midterm. The bottom line is know the theories that explain choking. You should have those in your notes.

A basketball athlete enjoys spending time alone to meditate before every basketball tournament by spending time alone this athlete feels motivated and energize. What type of personality describes this athlete reason to feel energize.

I'll save you on this one -- this question will not be on the midterm. The answer, for what it's worth, is introvert.

What does OCEAN stand for and what does it signigy?

I'd love to help you with this one but I have no idea what "signigy" is!

I hope this helps. The bottom line is make sure you understand the concepts we went over in class and make sure your done the reading.

Example Questions

Since people have been asking about what type of questions will be on the exam, here are two examples:

(1) The coach of the CSULB baseball team, the Dirtbags, contacts you. He wants you, as a sport psychologist, to help him select his starting pitcher. He asks you to give all his pitchers a personality test so that you can tell him which players will "crack under pressure." If you go ahead and give the test, what are 2 things you need to do to make sure you are acting in an ethical manner?

(2) This season, the Long Beach State Women's Volleyball team defeated UC Davis but UC Davis is 0 for 8. This Saturday, Long Beach State's team beat Cal Poly whose recored was 6 wins and 1 loss. Using attribution theory [hint: think Covariation principle], explain how the players on the Beach's team attribute each of their victories.

(a) Attribution for win over UC Davis:
(b) Attribution for win over Cal Poly:
(c) What type of attribution would be most beneficial for the team to make so as to do well enough to make it to the Big West championships?

Hope this helps.

Quick Question

This may have been brought up during class, but I was wondering how the format of the test was going to be. Are there multiple choice, true/false, short answer, matching?

textbook questions? bluebooks?...

do we need to know all the names of the people (e.g. father of modern psychology, father of applied sports psych...etc) in each chapter?

at the end of each chapter, there is a glossary of terms. do we need to focus on that as well?

should we more focus our reading on topics you covered in class?

also, do we need scantrons or bluebook for the midterm