Personal Experience What I Know and What I Want to Learn...

What I Know/ What I Want to Find Out A couple weeks ago, in science class, we started talking about Earth and space systems. Ms. Stephenson told us to make a chart about what we knew about Earth and the space systems. Next, I drew out the chart and tried to think of what I knew about the topic. I couldn’t think of anything! The only part of Earth and space I knew were the basics. I knew that the sun is a star, the planets orbit around it, and Earth’s axis is at a tilt. I also knew that Earth is lopsided and that Pluto is a dwarf planet. That was about all I knew about Earth and space systems. I wanted to know more about Earth and space. How do the planets orbit? What makes the planets and other objects move? Are there any other galaxies out there? Does the sun affect any planets and how? I wrote all the questions I had under the â€Å"What I Want to Know† column. After writing some of my questions down I realized I was most interested in how the sun affected Earth and other planets. Finally, I formed the question: â€Å"How do the surface features of the sun affect Earth and other planets?† After much research I found out the answer. The Story of My Search I started my research on March 10th, so it took about three weeks. First, I went to the Gale database and typed in the key words â€Å" Sun affect Earth.† I scrolled down and found two articles that were about my topic and one academic journal. The first article I read was very helpful. It had plenty of informationShow MoreRelatedMy Breaching Social Norm Experiment921 Words   |  4 Pagesbreaching social norm experiment, I was determined to do something I would never do even if it was a dare, especially since my ability to interact with strangers is not what I consider advanced. So, I decided to make people feel uncomfortable by holding their hand. What I would do is walk up to the person from behind and slowly make my way to their hand to make them feel even more uncomfortable. People normally hold hands with their significant other, or with someone they know, like a friend or family memberRead MoreBreaching Social Norm Experiment922 Words   |  4 Pagesmy breaching s ocial norm experiment I was determined to do something I would never do even if it was a dare, especially since my ability to interact with strangers is not the best. So, I decided to make people feel uncomfortable by holding their hand. What I would do is walk up to the person from behind and slowly make my way to their hand to make them feel even more uncomfortable. People normally hold hands with their significant other, or with someone they know like a friend or family member, soRead MoreThe Learning Environments Of Children1496 Words   |  6 Pageson in my career as an early childhood teacher or the field I end up choosing I want to be able to make a difference in the lives of young children. I will try to create the best learning styles in order for the children to fully succeed and I will learn from them too. When you have a loving support system children will learn the best because family is everything as an adolescent, a child needs to feel loved and supported. Children learn best when there is communication and consistency between homeRead MorePersonal Statement : My Personal Goals1111 Words   |  5 PagesAs I stated in my personal goals, I am focusing in developing my interpersonal skills toward my professional and personal environment. Even though this is not my first psychology class, it is always encouraging to re-learn and discover new findings in psychology. During and after the course, I found myself practicing many of the communication skills throughout my daily life such as paraphrasing, avoid stereotyping and especially analyzing my own and other’s emotions. The collaboration of the courseRead MoreMy Experience At My Job901 Words   |  4 PagesI would have improved this practicum by making sure my supervisors treated me more like an intern instead of a paid employe e. My practicum was different than a traditional internship because I was hired as a seasonal employee, who also happened to be getting practicum credit by working at Tweetsie. I think that my supervisors looked at me as a normal employee and because of that I wasn’t able to get a variety of experiences. Despite the fact that I excelled at my job and took on more responsibilitiesRead MoreIt s Important For Educator For Foster Diversity Education And Create Inclusive Classroom1139 Words   |  5 Pagesdiversity education and create inclusive classroom that honor the multiplicity of identities and knowledge different students bring into classroom. Students and faculty in schools today are becoming increasingly diverse in their backgrounds and experiences, reflecting the diversity observed in our broader society. The center for teaching is committed to supporting diversity mostly as it meets with the wide range of teaching and learning. There are no specific rules for responding to ethnic, genderRead MoreCreating A Physical Environment Of Classroom1114 Words   |  5 PagesVenassa Simpson October 27, 2015 Students and faculty in schools today are becoming increasingly diverse in their backgrounds and experiences, reflecting the diversity observed in our broader society. The center for teaching is committed to supporting diversity mostly as it intersects with the wide range of teaching and learning. There are no specific rules for responding to ethnic, gender, and cultural diversity in the classroom. Furthermore, making your classroom inviting and comfortable to helpRead MoreCustomer Complaints And Why It Is Important For Improving Customer Experience For The Future1738 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction: I have chosen to write my reflective essay on customer complaints and why it is important to handle them effectively, how to learn from complaints and how my workplace can use a complaint as a way of improving customer experience for the future. Reflective learning encourages development and new approaches to learning (Brockbank et al, 2002). From what I understand, the purpose of reflective writing is to help us recognise the way we work at a deeper level. It is a process in whichRead MoreI Am An Undergraduate College Student924 Words   |  4 PagesWhen I was an undergraduate college student, studying required much more effort. Despite a strong desire to learn, and a passion for biology, my educational experiences was not ideal. During my sophomore year in college I started teaching my peers to test myself if I knew core concepts. This is where I developed a love for anatomy and physiology as well as a desire to teach. I chose to further this love through the Anatomy Program through Wright State University. Progressing through graduate schoolRead MoreCulture And Identity Of A Refugee Living Essay1613 Words   |  7 PagesIn this paper, I will discuss the importance of culture and identity of a refugee living in Canada, and how her experiences shaped her as a person and her future. I have interviewed a friend and colleague, named Elodie Bambuzuke who was born in Rwanda. Throughout this paper, I will also reflect on course material and various articles of interpersonal culture and how it relates to newcomers to Canada. My plan in this interview is to learn more about Elodie’s culture, her immigration to Canada, her

Summary of The Archers Tale Essay - 1145 Words

The Archer’s Tale Alvin E. Nix III The novel begins in the English village of Hookton, where a boy named Thomas is growing up under the parenthood of his father, who is also the village priest. Thomas has great skill with a bow, but he trains secretly because his father does not allow him to use it. On the morning of Easter in 1342, a French party of raiders arrive under the command of Sir Guillaume dEvecque, a French Knight. In his party of raiders is a warrior dressed all in black, known simply as the Harlequin, who has hired Sir Guillaume to carry out the raid to steal Hooktons treasure, the Lance of St. George. During the raid The Harlequin kills Thomas father, and the lance is stolen from the village. With his bow†¦show more content†¦As the days go by, the men conduct a many raids on nearby French villages. A small French force from Lannion who are commanded by Sir Geoffrey de Pont Blanc, attempts to stop the onslaught of Skeats army, but Skeat refuses to engage him in battle. Jekyll, however, is eager for a fight, so he and his men battle Sir Geoffreys soldiers. Jekyll loses the battle despite his soldier’s powerful defense, and Geoffrey attempts to charge Skeats archers. His troops are shot down by the English longbows, and he is captured by Thomas. But to Jekylls fury, Thomas lets him go free. That night, Thomas is ambushed by Jekylls men and is severly beaten. He is saved by Father Hobbe, a friend who constantly reminds him of his vow of revenge. Thomas then becomes friends with Jeanette and the two plot to take revenge on Jekyll. Skeat and his men then move to attack Lannion, that has been weakened by the loss of Geoffreys force. During the attack on Lannion, Geoffrey is killed by Thomas. A French relief force attempts to destroy the English, but they are destroyed by Skeats archers. \ Thomas and Jeanette can no longer stay at La Roche-Derrien, because Jekyll wishes to kill them both, so they decide to take refuge with the Duke of Brittany. He takes them in because he is related to Jeanettes husband. The Duke, however, is not very hospitable. He rapes Jeanette and kidnaps her son, but Jeanette escapes with Thomas. She is traumatized by the event, but ThomasShow MoreRelatedS by Doug Dorst844 Words   |  3 Pagesare filled with scribbles, writings, notes, clues, musings and revelations from two readers, Jen and Eric. Jen, a college senior, and Eric, a former grad student and Straka researcher. Because of the nature of the presentation of this book, the summary will need to be separated into two distinct sections: The first section will cover the plot and events of the book Ship of Theseus, while the second section will cover the plot and events of the real life story taking place in the margins. In Ship

Leading and Managing Innovation Evaluate

Question: Discuss about the Leading and Managing Innovation Evaluate. Answer: Introduction The aim of this document is to critically evaluate and analyze the selected business case Sharing Better Practice with better overview. The critical analysis is performed to identify possible alternatives available for the selected business case. Moreover, the critical analysis aims to evaluate the alternative options regarding the benefits, costs, and risks aspects. After these aspects consideration, this document provides a preferred solution over the business case (Bresnen 2016). In order to analyze the above-mentioned points, the essay considers some methods such as need analysis, cause-effect analysis, and cost-benefit analysis to emphasize over the effectiveness of the business case. The first phase of the Sharing Better Practice project is initiated in October 2003 approved by the Steering Committee (Newman 2016; Archibald Archibald 2016). In this business case, the second phase is demonstrated based on outputs of first phase. In first phase, the definition of good practice is depicted as to capture and share better ideas for improving the business requirements and entire work process. Business Case Critical Analysis The project initiated with Department of Premier and Cabinets draft Corporate Plan 2002-2005 for identification of major addressed issues from IAPPU in the year span 2003 to 2004 (Turner 2016). The issues included facilitation of good practices and development of an appropriate methodology to support significant Government information management and systems activities. As the good practice definition is stated as the capture, sharing and subsequent implementation of good ideas i.e. innovations or lessons learnt about what works and what does not in Government business activities. This is aimed at improving the way we do business both in terms of effectiveness and efficiency (Kuryl 2004). The second phase business plan is prepared for establishing appropriate business process structure within IAPPU and in other agencies (Mazzei, Flynn Haynie 2016). This plan is incorporated with detailed implementation planning as well. Business Case Problem Statement First phase of Sharing Better Practice business case stated problem statement as to facilitate better ideas and concepts to address better effectiveness in business processes. Currently, in business processes such as project, systems and information management, lack of new ideas and better practice issue persists. Hence, this project is considered to put on improvements regarding the efficiency in process implementation. Therefore, the identified outcomes from this project are following: Possible Alternatives In this business case, possible alternatives are identified in form of some projects that are reliant over second phase. The capturing and sharing of better practice information undertaken by IAAPU staffs with their responsibilities. The related alternatives are: These identified alternative projects that can be utilized in the current scenario for improvement of the information sharing over new ideas and practice concepts. Moreover, the alternatives are addressed for evaluating the cost, benefits, and risks. Further, the financial summary is presented to emphasize over the policy, guidelines, and project unit cost assessment. This project business case is demonstrated with rationale of the preferred solution to identify why preferences are placed. Evaluation of the Benefit, Cost and Risk of Alternative Options For better financial support, internal capital will be supplied from Inter Agency Policy and Projects Unit, Department of Premier and Cabinet. Risks are addressed with Tasmanian Government Project management guidelines (Silvius 2016; Wittmayer Loorbach 2016). In first phase of the project, the risks are included as following: Strong reliance over capturing information concerning good practices in Tasmanian Government agencies guidelines Several obstacles and hindrances over good practice information sharing within government agencies Reluctance over implementation of agreed practices for business units Stakeholders aiming for identification of existing poor areas where practices are not utilized In aspects of these risks, the business case provided some mitigation strategies; the strategies are relevant in those aspects. Moreover, the business case should identify those risks in terms of likelihood, severity, and impact; so that risks can be prioritized for elimination (Ben Mahmoud?Jouini, Midler Silberzahn 2016). In current second phase business case, the risks are mitigated taking all of them catastrophic or major. Risk assessment and management is considered as major activity in business planning with initiatives of examining the risk register and contingency planning. Risk status is used in risk register for reporting to the Steering Committee with status incorporation (Binder 2016). Issues register is another method that was included in quality management and risk management planning with regular frequency. Quality management planning is prepared taking Project Management Methodology, Output Development Methodology, output quality, performance measures, and standards. Reporting, monitoring, assessment, and risk registers are adhered in this planning with information management (Lee 2016; Yahiaoui, Chebbi Weber 2016). Quality management planning should be conducted with procurement planning as well. Procurement of quality ensures assessment of quality in terms of improving further processes as well. Project management methodology is mentioned in the project as Tasmanian Government Project guidelines version 5.0; the business case is relevant as the guideline is specific for application (Rekonen Bjorklund 2016). Again, output development methodology is mentioned to be following project management information and resources project (PMIRP). For appropriate output quality, the project is designed to incorporate IASC, IAPPU, and management groups in consultancy with purpose of initial outpu ts (Pugh 2016; Qin Chen 2016). Focus groups are important for appropriate demonstration of new ideas and practice in project. Performance measures should be estimated based on key performance indicators in project standards and completion constraints. Moreover, the performance measures that are selected as baseline data, outcome realization plan and existing performance measurement factors (Coates 2016). Successful and fulfilling project business case should include appropriate standards, in this business plan; Tasmanian Government Web Publishing Standards are employed with information and resources. Along with standards, the reporting requirements are considered in the project for better progress reports and outcomes listing. The project development planning is prepared with appropriate schedules along with timeline for first phase project execution. The schedule is presented with detailed milestones and activities (Bresnen 2016). However, the scheduling should be prepared with suitable duration setting for specifically identifying the duration of the entire project and appropriate completion time. Therefore, the outcome realization planning is prepared for progressive management for IAPPU. Above-mentioned governance model is essential for monitoring and assessing the project activities with quality management planning. Monitoring employs regular or frequent revision of progress reports for adoption of changes in planning (Newman 2016). As per necessary data and information management, the TRIM file system is used in the project. Moreover, outcome realization planning is prepared in the business case for designated and ongoing management process with reporting certain achievement (Archibald Archibald 2016). The outcome realization planning is quite similar to post-implementation reviewing procedure for most projects. Rationale of the Preferred Solution Rationale of the preferred solution suggests the major points that can be considered in the project as scope of work, communication tools, stakeholder management planning, and project management planning as well. Second phase of the project includes scope of the work in terms of in-scope, out-of-scope, and uncertain or unresolved work (Turner 2016; Mazzei, Flynn Haynie 2016). In-scope work is included in business plan showing important and appropriate activities in the project. Implementation of essential business process is important in the project for supporting better practices in system. However, the architectural principles will not be accepted as in-scope project work (Silvius 2016). On the other hand, the communication should be aimed at establishment of IAPPU for central driver to support better practices. Quality management process is readied taking Project Management Methodology, Output Development Methodology, outcome quality, execution measures, and models. Reporting, observing, appraisal, and hazard registers are followed in this arranging with data administration (Wittmayer Loorbach 2016; Ben Mahmoud?Jouini, Midler Silberzahn 2016). Quality administration arranging ought to be directed with acquisition arranging too. Obtainment of value guarantees evaluation of value as far as enhancing further procedures too. Project administration strategy is said in the project as Tasmanian Government Project guidelines; the business case is important, as the strategy is particular for application (Binder 2016). Once more, yield improvement procedure is said to take after project administration data and assets extend (PMIRP). For fitting yield quality, the project is intended to join IASC, IAPPU, and administration assembles in consultancy with reason for beginning yields (Lee 2016). In addi tion, the execution measures that are chosen as gauge information, result acknowledgment arrange and existing execution estimation elements (Yahiaoui, Chebbi Weber 2016). Fruitful and satisfying project business case ought to incorporate suitable norms, in this strategy for success; Tasmanian Government Web Publishing Standards are utilized with data and assets. The project improvement arranging is set up with suitable timetables alongside course of events for first stage extends execution. The timetable is given significant turning points and exercises (Rekonen Bjorklund 2016). In spite of, the booking ought to be set up with reasonable length setting for particularly recognizing the term of the whole project and suitable consummation time. Monitoring includes regular or frequent changes of progress reports for adoption of changes in planning (Pugh 2016). According to vital information and data administration, the TRIM record framework is utilized as a part of the project. Additionally, result acknowledgment arranging is set up in the business case for assigned and progressing administration handle with reporting certain accomplishment (Qin Chen 2016; Coates 2016). The result acknowledgment arranging is very like post-execution exploring method for generally extends. Chance appraisal and administration is considered as significant movemen t in business arranging with activities of inspecting the hazard enlist and possibility arranging. Progress and project status is utilized as a part of risk register for answering to the Steering Committee with status joining (Yahiaoui, Chebbi Weber 2016). Risk Register is another strategy that was incorporated into quality administration and hazard administration arranging with standard recurrence. Conclusion Meetings with project stakeholder are essential for proper exhibit of new thoughts and practice in project. Execution measures ought to be evaluated in light of key execution markers in project gauges and finishing imperatives. Alongside models, the reporting prerequisites are considered in the project for better advance reports and results posting. Along these lines, the result acknowledgment arranging is set up for dynamic administration for IAPPU. The project is conducted to improve the information sharing and capturing in form of ideas realization and implementation in appropriate manner. The project requires benefit planning to continue the analysis process aligned with resource utilization. Major limitation in the business case is identified as period estimation without duration identification. Most of the project fails due to unidentified duration of activities; the activities tend to take more lengthy duration than usual making entire project longer than planned. In this long er schedule, the project takes expenditure more than planned value in the project causing significant adjustments in the budget. Therefore, the recommended steps should be incorporated as; To include durations for the activities in the entire project To add essential severity and impact in risk identification process To assess risks based on scoring of consequences and impact on project References Archibald, R.D. Archibald, S., 2016.Leading Managing Innovation: What Every Executive Team Must Know about Project, Program, Portfolio Management(Vol. 22). CRC Press. Ben Mahmoud?Jouini, S., Midler, C. Silberzahn, P., 2016. Contributions of Design Thinking to Project Management in an Innovation Context.Project Management Journal,47(2), pp.144-156. Binder, J., 2016.Global project management: communication, collaboration management across borders. CRC Press. Bresnen, M., 2016. Institutional development, divergence change in the discipline of project management.International Journal of Project Management,34(2), pp.328-338. Coates, H.L., 2016. Training researchers how to manage data to produce better results, enable reuse, provide for long-term access. Kuryl, K., 2004. Sharing Better Practice Project Business Plan Phase 2: Inter Agency Policy Projects Unit, DEPARTMENT OF PREMIER CABINET. Lee, M.C., 2016. Knowledge management innovation management: best practices in knowledge sharing knowledge value chain.International Journal of Innovation Learning,19(2), pp.206-226. Mazzei, M.J., Flynn, C.B. Haynie, J.J., 2016. Moving beyond initial success: Promoting innovation in small businesses through high-performance work practices.Business Horizons,59(1), pp.51-60. Newman, V., 2016. Mapping Innovation Practice Among Practitioners.InImpact: The Journal of Innovation Impact,7(1), p.1. Pugh, L., 2016.Change management in information services. Routledge. Qin, F. Chen, P., 2016. Knowledge Management of Project Team Based on Life Cycle Theory. InProceedings of the 6th International Asia Conference on Industrial Engineering Management Innovation(pp. 645-652). Atlantis Press. Rekonen, S. Bjorklund, T.A., 2016. Adapting to the changing needs of managing innovative projects.European Journal of Innovation Management,19(1), pp.111-132. Silvius, A.J.G., 2016. Strategic Integration of Social Media into Project Management Practice. Turner, R., 2016.Gower handbook of project management. Routledge. Wittmayer, J.M. Loorbach, D., 2016. Governing Transitions in Cities: Fostering Alternative Ideas, Practices, Social Relations Through Transition Management. InGovernance of Urban Sustainability Transitions(pp. 13-32). Springer Japan. Yahiaoui, D., Chebbi, H. Weber, Y., 2016. HR practices, context knowledge transfer in MA.The International Journal of Human Resource Management,27(20), pp.2415-2435.

The Emotion of Sports Performance and Motivation free essay sample

The field of psychology is increasingly expanding and becoming incorporated into other fields of study. From the study of behavioral economics to the burgeoning field of media psychology (with its emphasis on the effects of advertising, especially on children), literally anything that can be thought of is a possible venue for the probing, empirical analysis of various strains of psychological theory. And why not? There are currently 54 different divisions of the American Psychological Association. Not all are actual theoretical perspectives posited by psychology—such as behaviorism or social psychology—some are merely fields of interest within which a psychological focus has been found to be academically useful, or clinically rewarding, or medically necessary. Such is the case with sports and exercise psychology (division 47). For a variety of reasons—the economic impact of the billions of dollars a year professional sports industry, the growth of empirical evidence suggesting exercise is good for us (both physically and psychologically), as well as the influence of sports on childhood development and academic achievement and socialization (as a negative correlation to school violence)—sports and psychology are increasingly mixing. We will write a custom essay sample on The Emotion of Sports Performance and Motivation or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This paper will take a look at the theoretical and scientific ways psychology is being used to explain and enhance sports performance from the parallel points of view of personality, motivational theory, emotion, and social cognition; all under the watchful eye of Freudian psychoanalysis. There is, of course, a reciprocal relationship between the reasons for, or why we need sports activity, and the motivation towards a qualitatively enhanced sports performance. The initial impetus for man to engage in sports may have been be to simply play at sports for leisure or diversion, but upon closer examination its clear there’s something more which drives our seeming obsession for sports (and this includes the growing fanaticism of spectating, as well). Freud looked at sports during his time from his by then typical psychoanalytical point of view and found, what else (? ), sex†¦; or at least what he felt were the attempts by education institutions to curb the urge in children by substituting repetitive play (Holowchak, p. 697). This repetitive play serves as the foundation for the more formal adult world of competitive sports which then becomes standardized (though at lesser levels of difficulty) for children in a full circle process that, curiously, blurs the line between origins and necessity. Nonetheless, Freud believes this sort of adult play (sport) is at once an attempt to relive the unfettered, carefree days of childhood, while simultaneously using them (games) as a way of releasing pent up tensions and anxieties—both from sexual repression and the conscious seeking out of the pleasure principle. Play is pleasurable because it essentially mimics sexual movement while substituting for it in a socially acceptable way. Play becomes sport when the obstacles introduced by the participants are re-imposed repeatedly in order to allow for their usurpation in order to increase the psychic energy being built up solely for its ultimate—and very pleasurable—release (Holowchak, p. 698-99). Regarding the motivational forces that compel us to turn play into competition and equally—and instinctively—strive for greater and greater rewards (measurable goals and feelings related to victory and status), Freud believed in certain â€Å"drives† (Holowchak, p. 701) that serve as a spark and a conduit for, ultimately, all human behavior—including the play/sport dialectic. As with all psychoanalytic theory, the basis of drives is compelling (fascinating), but nebulous, to say the least. Unless, of course, one views those drives through an evolutionary prism. I’ve always had the gut feeling that many of Freud’s ideas piggybacked—to one extent or another—on the backs of Darwinian evolutionary theory and biology. In this case, the drives Freud speaks of are what Darwin would more simply refer to as survival mechanisms. Those mechanisms run the gamut from reproductive instincts to psychic survival processes which, in the latter, take the form of play, games, and ultimately, sport. I recently watched an episode of a program on Animal Planet detailing the attempts of an animal biologist to get two orphaned lion cubs to hunt by using a rag doll version of a mammal of some kind as substitute prey. He would drag the doll around the yard and the cubs would chase after it and pounce in playful abandon. He then took a piece of meat and dragged it around the yard—when the cubs were good and hungry—in the same fashion in an attempt at operant conditioning that, hopefully, would transfer to the wild (the goal was to eventually release the cubs). Similarly, human beings play games that serve multiple functions which are equally necessitated by basic needs (in the case of the cubs, hunger and survival). For human beings those needs are as complex as the human mind itself and every bit as deserving of study—even if it is just a game. Martin Luther said, â€Å"Feelings come and feelings go, and feelings are deceiving†¦;† and feelings—emotions—are also supremely multifaceted, slippery, transient, and as predictable as they are unpredictable. Feelings register virtually instantly through our autonomic nervous system which includes virtually every major organ in the body and leads to everything from clenched jaws to hairs standing up on the back of your neck. In any sort of performance—specifically sports—these physiological markers are many times kicked into high gear and being able to control and funnel them into an appropriate response that maximizes that performance takes skill learned through practice. But not all negative emotions hinder performance, just as not all positive emotions enhance it (Kouli, Bebestos, Kamperis Papaioannou, p. 108). Similarly, studies have shown that despite repetition of a particular task in a sports setting, being able to demonstrate fluency—even supremacy—of that task in a non-competitive situation (i. e. , practice) is no predictor of the athlete’s triumphalism in a real game situation. As Philadelphia 76er guard Allen Iverson once said emphatically, sarcastically, and repeatedly (ad nausea), â€Å"I’m supposed to be the franchise player, and yet we’re in here talking about practice. Not the game, but practice. Not the actual game that I go out and die for†¦and play every game like it’s my last, but practice. Practice. We’re talking about practice. Not a game, but practice†¦. † When dealing with the emotions evoked by the sometimes high drama of athletic competition, another factor must also be kept in mind: the context of an actual game and its attendant emotions are a two-way street. Emotions are a factor both before and during a game, and during a game the roller coaster of emotions can mediate and facilitate either failure or success because your emotions are not only having an internal biological effect on you, they are having a reciprocal social effect on your teammates, the other team, and the crowd (which is either magnified or diluted depending on whether you’re playing a home or away game—the infamous â€Å"12th man† at Qwest Field in Seattle, WA is a case in point). The key emotion that comes into play in most studies of athletic competition—be they individual sports like tennis, or a team sport like soccer—is confidence. But even confidence has subjective determinants and modifiers that ultimately show it has only a moderate, though positive, relationship to winning (Kouli, Bebestos, Kamperis Papaioannou, p. 108). When measured after a game, barometers for confidence are typically higher than when measured before a game. This brings up the two-way street concept again; it seems as though, when it comes to confidence, success on the pitch influences state of mind much more than that same state of mind acts as a predictor of the aforementioned success (Kouli, Bebestos, Kamperis Papaioannou, p. 108). Also, as the KBK P study points out, again, on p. 108, the specific kind of emotions, such as optimal-pleasant, optimal-unpleasant, and dysfunctional-pleasant, actually have a positive correlation on confidence, and only dysfunctional-unpleasant have a negative effect. Moreover, confidence can lead to cockiness, which can also lead to a state of mind whereby the athlete doesn’t take his or her opponent seriously. This can result in â€Å"lack of alertness, focus, and/or carelessness. † The trick then, is to harness the optimum performance enhancing states of mind (while avoiding physical injury, of course) on your own so as to block out other negative performance modifiers; to get in the zone, so to speak (Harmison, p. 5). The cognitive and behavioral skills needed to accomplish this task can be learned (also according to Harmison). The type of sport being engaged in also has a mediating impact. Individual sports, like extreme sports, for example, typically appeal to performers that are extroverts who have a high degree of openness to experience (Tok, p. 1106). So here we see that personality plays a key role in both the absorption and application of the specific emotions needed to maintain optimal performance standards. As Harmison points out, p. 8, â€Å"†¦emotion serves two primary functions: mobilizing and organizing energy. † Again, this is a dual process. Emotions can help or hinder in the mobilizing/organizing process. Players who already have a leg up on mastering that skill—by virtue of their personalities—will be better able to focus on this learned task; as well, they will be able to better gage and apply the required amount of intensity needed to complete the assignment. Baltimore Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis is another elite athlete who comes to mind when thinking about this phenomenon. If you’ve ever seen Lewis’s pregame ritual, you know it hasn’t changed in close to 15 years of NFL competition. He literally works himself, and more importantly—for this ultimate team sport—his teammates into a quasi-religious/spiritual frenzy (indeed, Lewis is an ordained minister) that has made the Ravens pro football’s top defensive team (along with the equally mighty Pittsburgh Steelers) over the past decade—and got them a Lombardi Super Bowl trophy in 2001. The Tok study also verified that when it comes to personality, those who score higher on the neuroticism scale of the Big Five personality traits were less likely to participate in individual extreme sports. This suggests that people with a greater ability to stay calm, cool, and collected in the eye of the storm are also the people who can summon the needed winning states of mind and keep control over them in order to accomplish their goals. External factors (crowd, noise, internal mind frame, social connections to teammates—if applicable, among others) are all part and parcel of the endeavor of athletic competition. But one key motivating factor for performance hasn’t yet been mentioned. Simply put, coaching has been found to be a correlational factor in the success and continuation of performers in athletics—especially team sports. And the younger the athlete, the more, it would seem, because of developmental issues as well, a coach would have an impact on his/her players. As David McClelland has pointed out, â€Å"The need for achievement is the spark that ignites economic growth, scientific progress, inspirational leadership, and masterpieces in the creative arts (from Weiten, p. 315). † McClelland could also easily have included elite sports in that pantheon of human creation. Sports are above all, a metaphor for the human struggle in all of those other areas. And nowhere does that metaphor hit closer to home than in the hierarchical, yet symbiotic relationship between a player and his/her coach. The perceptions an athlete has of the job being done by their coach in creating the optimal practice and game environment is a key—but certainly not the only—component of victory in athletic competition (Ntoumanis, Taylor Thorgersen-Ntoumani, p. 213). The reason coaches get fired many times has more to do with these perceptions than with actually winning. The level of talent on the team, and the coach’s perceived ability to harness that talent as well as bring out the latent talent in a team and fuse it into a cohesive unit that functions as one is constantly being evaluated—by peer coaches, management, and, most importantly, the team itself. One component of that constant evaluative process is measurement of players’ â€Å"behavioral investment† in the game, practice, and the team. This is the social-cognitive view of motivation used by Ntoumanis, Taylor Thorgersen-Ntoumani in their study.