Rui M. Sofia

Exploring Individual Differences in the Experience of Anger in Sport Competition: The Importance of Cognitive, Emotional, and Motivational Variables

As anger is one of the most commonly experienced emotions in sport competition, this study aims to explore the individual differences in anger. A multisport sample of 269 athletes completed self-report measures of anger and several cognitive, motivational, and emotional variables. The results revealed significant differences in approach and avoidance motivation, anger rumination, thought suppression, antisocial behavior toward teammates and opponents, and self-control among athletes with different levels of anger. In addition, antisocial behavior toward opponents and teammates, anger rumination, challenge appraisals, and self-control predicted anger levels and significantly discriminated between athletes with low and high trait anger.

Giving in to Temptation”: Self-Control as a Valuable But Limited Resource?

Life constantly challenges us with temptations that we have to resist to follow the rules of society and achieve our goals. The strength model of self-control (SC) posits that SC capacity relies on limited mental energy that can be depleted. In the present review article, we analyze and explore past and current research on the SC construct. Departing from different approaches to the conceptualization and operationalization of the SC construct, we review and synthetize the major fi ndings on the strength model of SC and on the ego depletion effect. We also review past and new fi ndings on both the benefi ts, mainly for life outcomes, and the costs of SC failures. Next, we present and discuss some recent alternative and complementary approaches to current SC perspectives. Finally, we conclude by presenting some theoretical and empirical considerations and implications in an attempt to encourage future research and applied intervention in the broad fi eld of SC.