BPS106 Sports Psychology

Learn how to motivate sports people using psychological techniques. Sports psychology is the study of the interaction between a person’s psychology and their participation in sport. Singer (1978) defined it as “the science of psychology applied to sport”. Whilst the field of psychology is relatively young, sports psychology is even younger. The field of sports psychology has much to offer, carrying out useful research that can be made available to athletes and coaches. Whilst knowing about sports psychology itself is important, there are other areas of psychology that are related, such as nutrition, life coaching, motivation and so on.

In professional or competitive sport, this study is important because:

A person’s psychology or state of mind can have a significant effect upon their sporting performance.
The selection of competitors for elite sport is influenced by an assessment of their individual psychology, as well as other factors such as recent performance and fitness.

Sports psychologists provide two major types of services:

Counselling – in areas that affect the athlete.
Strategies that enhance performance.

Develop your skills and application of psychological principles for use in sports. Learn about such things as psychological traits common to successful athletes, ways to maintain and increase motivation, leadership, aggression and team dynamics.
Lesson Structure

There are 8 lessons in this course:

Introduction
Performance Psychology, Exercise Psychology, Environmental Influences, Aspects of Sports Psychology, Applying Sports Psychology.
Psychological Traits of Successful Athletes
Personality Inventory, Cognitive Techniques.
State of Mind.
Anxiety & Arousal
Anxiety, Physiology of Anxiety, Psychology of Anxiety, Arousal, How to Maximise Psychological State, Focusing (or Centering).
Motivation
Motivation is the internal impulse that causes increasingly energetic action in a particular direction. Basic Principles, Intrinsic Motivation, Extrinsic Motivation Factors Affecting Motivation, Movitation for fun, Slimming for fun.
Aggression
Mental Rehearsal, Error Parking, Using Self Consciousness, Word Association, Anger, Conflict,Measuring Aggression, Simulated Practice, e-Event Procedure, Reliving Success, Positive, Conflict Handling Techniques.
Leadership & Coaching
A Coach’s Role, Getting Attention, Questioning, Punishment.
Team Dynamics
Group cohesion,Forming, Storming,Norming,Performing, Traits of an Effective Team,
Suitable membership,Appropriate Leadership, Commitment to the Team, Concern for Achieving, Effective Work Methods, Well Organised Team Procedures, Ability To Take Criticism, Creative Strength, Positive Relationships, Positive Environment.
Special Groups
Stress, Post Game/Season Evaluation, Gender Differences, Elite Female Athletes, Special Considerations with Female Athletes, Disabled Persons. Children, Readiness, Dropping out.

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
Aims

Describe the nature and scope of Sports Psychology
Identify psychological traits found in successful athletes.
Explain effects of state of mind on athletic performance.
Recommend ways of maintaining or increasing motivation in an athlete.
Differentiate between positive and negative application of aggressive emotions in sport.
Discuss the role of leadership in sports coaching.
Explain the impact on performance of psychological interactions within a sporting team.
Describe variations in the sports psychology of different demographic groups.

This course is very appropriate for coaches, personal trainers or life coaches.

It may also be a starting point for someone who aspires to eventually become a sports psychologist.

Sports psychologists (usually holding a degree or much higher qualification than this) may provide more in depth clinical services, or be involved in research, or may be involved in teaching. Sports and exercise psychologists will work in a range of sports and exercise sectors and work with a range of clients. Sports psychologists will generally combine consultancy work with research or psychological consultancy in other areas, eg. Clinical psychology. Some sports psychologists may hold positions within government organizations or national governing bodies for sports. The opportunities to work full time as a sports psychologist are increasing in number.

Exercise psychologists have similar opportunities. They may work in consultancy with teaching and research careers. Much of their work may require referrals from doctors, and setting up and evaluating exercise programmes in prisons, employment and psychiatric situations. There may also be consultancy work within an office or at competition venues, clinics, recreational settings and so on. Sports and Exercise psychologists will usually require a degree and further qualifications to work in this field. Experience is also very important.

So sports psychologists can be working in a range of fields –

· Arrange programmes for teams
· Coaching professional and amateur athletes and coaches
· Sports organizations
· Youth development programmes
· Student teams and coaches
· Helping players to cope with injuries
· Athlete’s families
· Recreation and leisure programmes