Mental Aspects of Sport Performance PSY/PEP 4000 – Fall 2016 Instructor: Matthew Vierimaa, PhD

Class Outline Meet your instructor Course overview Review syllabus Class expectations/policies

Instructor Matthew Vierimaa, PhD Assistant Professor in Dept. Kinesiology and Health Science Office: HPER 128 Telephone: 435-797-7323 (Email preferred!) Email: matthew.vierimaa@usu.edu Office Hours: MWF 11:30am-12:00pm (HPER 128)

Mental Aspects of Sport Performance (PEP/PSY 4000) Class time: MWF 10:30-11:20am Classroom: HPER 114 Course description: This course will provide a current understanding and application of the field of sport psychology. This course is applicable to undergraduate physical education majors and minors, psychology majors and minors, coaching minors and anyone interested in the psychology of sport, human performance and excellence. Required text: Weinberg, R. S., & Gould, D. (2011). Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology (5th Ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Course Objectives The student will be able to identify the motivational styles of teachers and coaches. The student will be able to demonstrate and utilize several techniques for performance enhancement including relaxation training techniques, concentration techniques, confidence building techniques, stress management, time management, self-talk and activation techniques. The student will be able to identify the arousal levels of the students and prescribe appropriate methods for activation and relaxation to enhance performance and learning. The student will understand human growth and development and the ramifications these stages have for psychological development of the student. The student will understand aggression and how to cope with it. The student will be able to describe and utilize both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation styles. The student will become familiar with different coaching and teaching styles. The student will study the effect personality has on human performance and learning. The student will understand leadership styles. The student will study cohesion and group dynamics and how these topics affect learning and performance.

Course Evaluation Personal Reflection Paper 3% Course Evaluations 2% Sport Psychology in the News 5% In-Class Assignments 10% Scientific Article Review 10% Applying Psychological Skills Training 10% Midterm #1 20% Midterm #2 20% Final Exam 20% TOTAL 100%

Course Evaluation Personal Reflection (3%) Course Evaluations (2%) “Getting to know you” questions posted on Canvas Background, interests, and expectations for the course DUE THIS FRIDAY! Course Evaluations (2%) Completion of anonymous mid- and end of semester course evaluations

Course Evaluation Sport Psychology in the News (5%) Post links to news articles, videos, etc. that are in some way related to course content Provide written explanation for why you selected the link and how it relates to the course Each student must post five links on Canvas discussion board by end of semester EXAMPLE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BemrQOzMVWo Scientific Article Review (10%) Research and select a peer-reviewed scientific sport psychology article Complete a summary of the article and provide practical implications of the study’s findings Due October 20

Course Evaluation Applying Psychological Skills Training (10%) Identify an activity or area of your everyday life where you could apply PST Choose a PST technique, apply it, and complete a reflection paper on the process and outcomes of this exercise Due: November 18 Midterm and final exams (20% each; 60% total) Non-cumulative Multiple choice and short answer questions Any material covered in lecture OR readings is fair game Dates: October 3, November 7, and December 14

Important Course Policies Assignment submission (except ICAs) All assignments are to be submitted online via Canvas All assignments are due at the beginning of class (10:30am) on the stated due date Follow the APA 6th ed. referencing format for all citations Detailed instructions and rubrics will be posted on Canvas – read them carefully! Late Policy Assignments submitted after the beginning of class on the due date are penalized 5% Late submissions are penalized 10%/day (including weekends) Assignments >1 week late receive mark of zero

Important Course Policies Remarking Request Policy Any appeal must be given in writing (email is acceptable) Appeal must be received between 1 and 5 days of return of work Any appeal received <24 hours after return of work will not be considered Written appeal must clearly identify assignment and grounds of appeal The entire assignment will be reviewed and the overall mark may increase or decrease Email Policy Emails will be answered ASAP during weekday working hours (within 24-48 hours) Maintain professional tone, be brief and to the point If question cannot be conveyed in 1-2 sentences, please come and discuss during office hours https://www.insidehighered.com/views/2015/04/16/advice-students-so-they- dont-sound-silly-emails-essay#.V78WLbIi6BY.twitter

Class Expectations Arrive on time Come prepared to learn Be respectful PARTICIPATE!

Questions? Thanks – see you all on Wednesday!