Introduction to Sport Psychology

Name: 1 pt Period: 1 pt Date: 1 pt Answer (at least 5 lines): 7 pts What, in your opinion, is the most important quality an athlete should possess?

Epic stories: Iliad & Odyssey “The greatest honor a man can have is what he achieves with his hands and feet.” -Homer Ancient Greek poet Epic stories: Iliad & Odyssey HERO Go through quote first. Focus on the idea of honor. Why do you play/compete?

Honor Define it. respect, esteem, distinction, glory, privilege Who are our modern-day heroes?

Heroes Why are they heroes? Their actions speak (what they do with their hands and feet).

From the beginnings of human civilization, the ideals of the great WARRIOR and those of the great ATHLETE have shared this common quality: HONOR

ESPN: Images of the Century Some of the greatest AND NOT SO GREATEST moments in sport. Really illustrates the distinction between those who “get it” and those who don’t when it comes to sports.

What role does Sports Psych have building these modern-day heroes? Today, we are going to trace the history of this field Let’s start with some basics

What Is a Sport? What’s the difference here? Play Recreation Games Sport Let’s define some basic terms…

PLAY: an informal activity lacks structure or rules no defined goal or objective Often, we engage in PLAY simply to pass the time. Example: Snowball fight

RECREATION: Purpose: diversion or fitness step up from play may have defined goal (like getting in shape) lacks formal structure, rules, or the ability to “win” rules are internally created (not formal) Example: Snowboarding

GAMES: more formal, organized internal AND external rules Often, the goal is to win Do NOT have institutionally structured framework, like tournaments or leagues Ex. Pick-up basketball game

SPORT: competitive activity (involving at least 2 competitors) requires physical skill formal rules occurs within an organizational framework Ex. High school basketball

Brief History of Sports For as long as people have been around, they have been trying to outdo each other…Why? Cave art from 30,000 years ago shows evidence of ancient archery contests.

Sumaria, 3000 BC: evidence of formal boxing and wrestling

Ancient Greece: ballgames and swimming contests Ephedrismos: described by Pollux (IX, 119), the game involves throwing balls or pebbles at a stone in an attempt to overturn it. The player who fails to do so is blindfolded and must run to touch the stone while carrying the winner on his back.

Ephedrismos… Goal: throw balls at a stone & try to overturn it. Losers: blindfolded & have to run to touch the stone carrying the winner on your back!

Sports Why compete? What does sports participation teach you? Discipline, making good choices, perseverance, goal-setting… all positive VIRTUES! Honor…pride…you bring yourself and others/teammates, nation, school

This idea was shared by the ancient Greeks “The education of the body must precede that of the intellect.” -Aristotle, philosopher Died 323 B.C.

Aristotle Physical education is an ESSENTIAL part of human development for everyone From infancy, start to build the physical body…body first, the soul (virtue) comes next Sports teach you lessons that build positive character

The modern idea of an “amateur” athlete came from the Greek tradition. Should PE/team sports be a part of public schools? What do you think? Pros? Cons? WHOLE person education Physical fitness/athletic competitions were essential part of human development…for everyone.

Ancient Greece : Olympics Beginning in 2500 BC Men only Track and field events: sprinting, long distance running, discus throw, javelin throw, long jump Combat events: boxing, wrestling, and… pun-kra-tea-on pan- as in 'pun' kra- as in 'gra' in 'grass' ti- as in tea on- as in 'on' pun-kra-tea-on pan- as in 'pun' kra- as in 'gra' in 'grass' ti- as in tea on- as in 'on'

Pankration (pun-gra-tea-on) Real player: plankration at UFC Gym Los Angeles http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXK0BJNH5mY&safe=active

Pankration (pun-gra-tea-on) “game of all powers” Maybe an Olympic sports again?

Ancient Rome Version of sports different from that of the Greeks Developed the idea of professional athlete Mainstream Roman citizens participated as spectators Most famous of their athletic contests: gladiator fights

Roman Gladiators Real player: Gladiator trailer, Ben Hur Movie Clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvTT29cavKo&safe=active http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AAHljDbGtA

Gladiator…Hollywood style

Chariot Races…Ben Hur

Modern Sports Hundreds of sports to choose from Participation from early childhood through adulthood Both the amateur and professional levels

Modern sports Amateur: not paid (ex. NCAA athletes), may receive scholarships (stripped of status if they accept $) Professional: paid (median $43,740/2010), can sponsor commercial products

2012 statistics http://ftw. usatoday

Blurred lines Example: US Gymnastics: considered amateur but can sponsor commercial products ($ must be placed in a trust) Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas

The modern Olympics Used to be amateur only Why change? $$$ (more viewers) Eastern bloc (1980’s) already “professional” Ex. USA Hockey Lake Placid (1980) amateurs vs Russian professionals (“Do you believe in miracles?) 1992 Barcelona…the American Dream Team Won other teams by 44 points average.

USA Dream Team 1992 Jordan, Scottie Pippen, John Stockton, Karl Malone, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Patrick Ewing, Chris Mullins, David Robinson, Charles Barkley

Controversy: Should student athletes be paid? YES NO Share in profit? Big $ (2013 NCAA “March Madness” made CBS & Turner Broadcasting $1 B) Division 1 scholarship $25,000 year (covers basics); stay 4 years? Full-time job (on the road, practice, games + school) Benefits school (recruitment) Receive education & exposure to professional teams Too expensive Not all sports are profitable (BB & FB make up for swimming, tennis, VB)

Two Branches of Sport Psychology Basic research: The study of the mind and mental factors that influence performance in sport Applied research: The application of this knowledge to improve performance Basic vs. applied

Scientific Approach of Sport Psychology Concepts and techniques presented in this class are a result of a lot of scientific research into the most effective principles for improving performance 1898: Norman Triplett, psychologist from Indiana University Found that cyclists performed significantly better when competing than when alone Audience effect on cycling performance

History 1925: first scientific laboratory for studying sport psychology Coleman Robert Griffiths “Father of Sport Psychology” University of Illinois Worked as first professional sport psych clinician (Chicago Cubs) Wrote first textbooks on sport psychology Psychology and Coaching Psychology of Athletics

History Nothing more happening in Sport Psychology until 1967 when NASPSPA was created. (North American Society for the Psychology of Sport & Physical Activity) *Pushed through many important discoveries & advanced understanding of the mind of the athlete

History 20 years later, American Psychological Association (APA) took over … AAASP (Association for the Advancement of Applied Psychology) *Took over most of the responsibility for the Sports Psych movement

Why was there a sudden rise of interest in studying sport psychology starting in the 1960s? Athletes & players looking for new ways to improve performance. Modern Olympic movement (national pride) Big business Public fascination with fitness; every-day people can apply these techniques too

Careers College or professional sports teams: helping athletes improve and reach potential Private practice : one-on-one treatment Researchers: experiment to advance understanding and produce new techniques

Education/Training Most have Ph.D. in Psychology or Sport Psychology Fewer universities offer degrees specifically in Sport Psychology If not: get a degree in Clinical Psychology, specialize in Sport Psychology Masters Degree (Work in field, most likely with someone with a Ph.D.) Coach: Masters Degree in either Exercise Physiology or Sport Psychology Offers both Master’s degree & Ph.D.

Sports Psychologist: your new ally

Importance of Sports Psych

The importance of Sports Psychology The mental game, as important as the physical. “Thoughts become things… The mind/body connection…you become what you believe.” Real player: Olympics 2012 The Importance of Sports Psychology

Sport Psychologist Nicole Deitling Miller, Ph.D. (U of U) “Mental coach is more descriptive of what we do that the term ‘sport psychologist.’”

Sport Psychologist Nicole Deitling Miller, Ph.D. (U of U)