Changing thought processes from NAF to NAch

Motivation is the desire to fulfill a need which energises and directs your behaviour.

There are two motives: NAch and NAF

NAch- The motivation to achieve success.

NAF- The motivation to avoid failure.

These types of motivations show different characteristics of behaviour 

NAch:

• Looks for challenges
• Values feedback from others
• Persists for longer
• Not afraid of failure
• Concerned about standards of excellence 
• Attributes performance to internal factors

NAF:

• Dislikes situations where there is a 50/50 chance
• Prefers to play a much easier or difficult opposition therefore they can predict the outcome of the game 
• They perform worse when being evaluated
• Attributes performance to external factors

However a person does not have to show all of these characteristics in order to become one of these types of people they can have different characteristics from each however there will be one which outweighs the other.

An example of this is the Sunderland 2013-2014 season. 

Sunderland were on the brink of relegation following a run of defeats under manager Paolo Di Canio. However after the sacking of Di Canio and the appointment of Gus Poyet Sunderland went on an unbeaten run of 6 games drawing one and winning the rest. Playing the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea. 

Somehow Poyet was able to change his players mindsets from being a NAF to a NAch. This meant that players went out thinking they could win instead of thinking about not losing by too much or trying to avoid getting embarrassed. This enabled Sunderland to ultimately avoid relegation and stay in the Premier League for another season. 

However just this change in mindset cannot be accounted for as the only reason as to why Sunderland went on this run as you have to consider the thought of relegation could have spurred them on but also Poyet could have generally a better coach.

Saying this a change in mindset can have a very big difference in the outcome of a situation and a change in attitude will be very effective not just in sport but also when it is applied to a real life situation.

Applying the Interactional Approach to Johnny Wilkinson

Hollander's theory suggests that your behaviours are determined by a combination of genetics and environmental factors using this equation.

B=F(P.E) - Behaviour is the function of personality and environment. 

This equation suggests that your personality is determined by who you are brought up by, where you live and what you do on a day to day basis, the people you hang around with and the situations you are put in from an early age. 

I chose Jonny Wilkinson because this theory can be applied to him. He kicked a drop goal to win the Rugby World Cup at the age of 24 which is reasonably young age. He managed this because his personality allowed him to do this. He was put under high pressure situations from the start of his rugby career competing against the likes of Mike Catt for a position in the England squad. He participated in the "Tour of hell" where England suffered heavy defeats to Australia and New Zealand. This environment which he played rugby in from an early age meant that he didnt feel as much pressure when he was taking the drop goal in 2003. 

The environment he grew up in also helped in high pressure environments as he would practice for 2 hours everyday just repeating basic skills over and over until he perfected them. Again because of this environment he grew up in meant that he was so comfortable with doing a basic skill such as taking a drop goal he could rely on that to make that kick. 

12 years on and wilkinson is still known as the best goal kicker in world rugby. Winning the Heineken Cup twice in a row with Toulon after years of being on the sideline through injury. It was not until when he went to France that he experienced an injury free season. Again his personality helped him achieve this because he wasnt so calm and patient then maybe a retirement would have been on the cards at Newcastle. This patience was learnt again through the environment he grew up in and it could be argued that he has taken some genes from his parents that enable him to do this. This has brought Jonny a very successful last few seasons making him a living legend. I dont think he would have achieved such goals if he was brought up in a different environment 

How i got my personality and why it is suited to my sport

I Think i have set traits and characteristics partly due to my genetics but also partly due to the environment i have grown up in a live in now. I get certain things from my parents which i see daily such as being relaxed and laid back most of the time which i think i get from my dad. But i believe that most of my personality comes from the environment i have grown up in the language i speak and the tone i speak it in reflects being brought up in St Albans and the way i act around certain situations is down to who i hang around with. This has been picked up over time.

My personality is suited to my sport because i am a very competitive person ( which i get from my mum) this enables me to focus more and work harder because i want to win all of the time and when i dont i get annoyed this drives me on and makes me a better rugby player as it will raise aggression levels if needed. My personality is suited to my sport because i enjoy playing sports which i think is an important factor. This i get from the environment i grew up in because i have played sport from a very early age which my parents made me do. This means that i don't ever see going to training or a match as a chore. Because i am fairly relaxed and laid back i allows me to be in high pressure situations without breaking or feeling under pressure this means that i can perform in those high pressure situations as i would do on a training ground.

I feel that my personality and traits mainly come from my environment and that has made me suited to my sport. It has made me work harder, enjoy playing the sport and perform under high amounts of pressure.