Kine 266 L1

Sport & Exercise Psychology

Scientific study of people & their behaviors in sport/exercise contexts & practical application of that knowledge

ABCs of Psychology

• Affect (feelings)

• Behavior (actions)

• Cognition (thoughts/choices)

Affect

emotions/feelings that influence behavior & decisions

Behavior

actions performed by an individual

Cognition

thoughts, perceptions, & decision making processes

Key concept of ABCs

feelings influence behavior & choices

Dynamic environment

sport settings are constantly changing & require adaption

Self awareness

ability to recognize & understand one’s thoughts, feelings, & behaviors to adjust performance

Objective 1 of Sport Psychology

understand how psychological factors affect performance

Antecedent for Objective 1 of SP (performance context)

psychological factor that influences outcome

• high confidence —> good performance

• added pressure —> anxiety —> avoidance

Examples of psychological factors

confidence, anxiety, self-talk, coach feedback, focus, perfectionism

Objective 2 of Sport Psychology

understand how sport/exercise affects psychological development, health, & well being

Antecedent for Objective 2 of SP (participation context)

participation in sport/exercise that influences psychological outcomes

• impacts confidence, leadership, anxiety, sense of competence

confidence

belief that you can successfully perform a task

“I can do this”

competence

belief that you have the ability to produce a desired outcome

Three Roles of Sport Psychologists

Research, Education, & consulting

Research: Observational study

research method where variables are not manipulated (e.g. surveys, comparisons)

• ex) survey of 100 runners, compare fastest vs slowest

Experimental study

research method where a variable is manipulated to determine cause & effect

• Ex) one group gets Psychological skills training, second group does not —> compare performance

Psychological Skills Training (PST)

techniques used to improve mental performance (e.g. imagery, goal setting)

Sport Psychologists: Education

• teach at universities

• train students

• share knowledge

Sport Psychologists: Consulting

• Certified through: Association for Applied Sport Psychology—> Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC)

Sport psychologists that work in consulting…

work with: athletes, coaches, teams, entire organizations, businesses, military, wellness programs (hospital, workplace, community)

Career Pathways: Psychology Track

focus on mental health + counseling

• Addressing psychological well-being and mental health issues

Career Pathways: Sport & Exercise Science Track

focus on performance + physical activity

Key Debate: Performance Enhancement vs mental health Counseling

• traditionally separate

• now becoming integrated

• whether the primary goal of the practitioner is to optimize athletic performance ("fixing the game") or to support the holistic well-being of the athlete ("fixing the person")

• debate is moving away from an "either/or" scenario toward a collaborative model that requires clear boundaries and a strong focus on the ethical, holistic care of the athlete

• stay in scope of practice ethically!

Early Research of Sport Psychology

Norman Triplett (1896)

• Cyclists performed better with others

• → First study on social facilitation

Early Development Sport Psychology

Coleman Griffith

• “Father of American Sport Psychology”

• 1925: First sport psychology lab

• Studied athletes scientifically

Academic Expansion Sport Psychology

• Franklin Henry

  • UC Berkeley

  • Focus on:

    • Motor learning

    • Motor development

    • Motor control

Growth Era of Sport Psychology

• Growth factors: stress research, olympic involvement

• Rainer Martens, Dan Landers

• Key events: —> 1980 = US Olympic Committee sport psych board

—> 1985: First full time sport pscyhologist hired

Key Women in Field

• Dorothy Hazeltine Yates (1940s): Early contributor (1940s), applied and clinical work

• Dorothy Harris (“Mother of SEP”)

Later contributors:

• Joan Duda

• Deborah Feltz

• Diane Gill

• Tara Scanlan

• Maureen Weiss

• Jean Williams

Social Facilitation

Improved performance when others are present

Norman Triplett (1896)

First sport psychology study; cyclists performed better when competing against others

Coleman Griffith

“Father of American Sport Psychology”; established first lab in 1925

Motor behvaior

Includes motor learning, motor development, and motor control

Association for Applied Sport Psychology :

Professional organization for applied sport psychology

North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity

Focus on research in sport and physical activity

Qualitative Research :

Non-numerical data (observations, interviews)

Quantitative Research :

Numerical data (statistics, measurements)

Future of Sport Psychology – Mental Health

Greater focus on athlete mental health and well-being

Future - Training

Increased need for counseling and clinical training

Future - Ethics

stronger emphasis on ethical standards & competence

Future - Career Opportunities

growth in full-time applied positions & expansion into military & wellness

Psychophysiological Approach

• Studies brain & body responses

• Example: heart rate, muscle tension, arousal

Social-Psychological Approach

• Focuses on environment & social influences

• Example: coaching style, team dynamics

Cognitive-Behavioral Approach

• Focuses on thoughts & behaviors

• Example: self-talk, goal setting, mental imagery