Self-Control and Weight-Loss Practices: An Exploration of Repertory Grid Constructs

Attempting weight loss is an increasingly common behavior for many people and a variety of practices are used. However, lapses in self-control may hinder progress. This study explores how women construe their weight-loss practices. In 10 semistructured interviews, the repertory grid technique (RGT) was used to explore elicited bipolar constructs using weight-loss practices as elements. Qualitative interpretation of the grids highlighted the fundamentally different ways self-control was seen as being enhanced. The amount of weight to be lost and self-esteem issues were interpreted as impacting expectations of increased self-control from practices. Suggestions for future research into these relationships are outlined.     

Monitoring the Climate: Exploring the Psychological Environment in an Elite Soccer Academy

Fostering a constructive motivational climate is an important contributor to an individual’s motivation (Ames, 1992a Ames, C. (1992a). Achievement goals, motivational climate, and motivational processes. In G. C. Roberts (Ed.), Advances in motivation in sport and Exercise (pp. 161–176). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. [Google Scholar]), yet research within elite sport remains limited. The purpose of this study was to use the task, authority, recognition, grouping, evaluation, and time—or TARGET—framework to explore the motivational climate in an elite youth football academy. Sixty-four academy training sessions were observed. Findings suggested that the task, authority, recognition, and evaluation structures are most important in predicting a mastery motivational climate. Task organization parameters and coach behaviors influential in promoting adaptive and less adaptive psychological environments are discussed.