Welcome to Sport and Exercise Psychology

1. Identify your goal(s) and the behaviors you choose to accomplish them (e.g., I want to lose 5 lbs by the end of the semester, and I will jog 4x per week to reach this goal) 2. Identify ways to measure your goals, and keep track of the actions you are using to reach them 3. For the first week of class, establish baseline measures of your goal(s) and chosen behaviors, and then begin your modification program soon after 4. Track techniques you utilize during the semester to keep to your goals and behaviors, and adjustments you needed to make 5. Graph your results (e.g., using Excel) over time and turn these records in along with a written summary of your self- improvement project at the end of the semester Personal Project Guidelines

Sport as a microcosm of Life: sport reflects life meaning of sport Putting the Course in Context

Attacks Hit Sports World Golfer, Tiger Woods, reacts to the news of Tuesday’s terrorist actions. Pensacola News Journal, September 12, 2001

“Sport is an important extension of humanity, and the best of athletic competition is in the ideal of competing for the joy of it... To see something clean and noble in it... To appreciate your personal accomplishments in proper perspective” Brutus Hamilton, Olympic track coach of the 50’s --

“Baseball was a way to make myself a better person” --Sadaharu Oh --

Sport gives us a context to overcome challenge… …and connect with others

Sport and Exercise Psychology The scientific study of people and their behaviors in sport and exercise activities and the practical applications of that knowledge.

Children Sport and exercise psychology applies to a broad population base: Average athletes The physically and mentally challenged Coaches, teachers, and fitness leaders Seniors Exercisers Elite athletes

Two Objectives of Sport and Exercise Psychology 2.Understand the effects of participating in physical activity on psychological development, health, and well-being. 1.Understand the effects of psychological factors on physical and motor performance.

How does anxiety affect a basketball player’s accuracy in free-throw shooting? Typical questions studied in sport and exercise psychology: Psychology affects performance Does lacking self-confidence influence a child’s ability to learn to swim? How does a coach’s reinforcement and punishment influence a team’s cohesion? Does imagery training facilitate the recovery process in injured athletes and exercisers? Objective 1

Does running reduce anxiety and depression? Typical questions about how physical activity affects our psychological life: Do young athletes learn to be overly aggressive from participating in youth sports? Does participation in daily physical education classes improve a child’s self-esteem? Does participation in college athletics enhance personality development? Objective 2

Science of Sport and Exercise Psychology A process, or method, of learning about the world through the systematic, controlled, empirical, and critical filtering of knowledge acquired through experience. Science

Describe Explain Predict Control Goals of Science ROLE OF THEORY

Scientific Study A set of interrelated facts presenting a systematic view of some phenomenon in order to describe, explain, and predict its future occurrences. Theory Example: Social facilitation theory

Understanding Professional Practice Knowledge Professional practice knowledge is what we learn through experience, using many methods of knowing.

Single case study Personal and shared Experience Introspection Systematic observation Scientific method Methods of Knowing

Apply scientific principles in your professional work setting. Integrating Scientific and Professional Practice Knowledge Evaluate the utility of scientific principles in the particular context in which you are involved. Keep current by updating and modifying your scientific knowledge base. Hold realistic expectations relative to the strengths and limitations of scientific principles. An Active Approach

Three roles What Sport and Exercise Psychology Specialists Do

Research Advance knowledge and share it through professional meetings and journal articles.

Teaching Teach university courses either in psychology or exercise and sport science.

Consulting Work with athletes of all ages and abilities; work in the fitness industry and in sports medicine/physical therapy.

Sport and Exercise Psychology as an Art and Science: Integration The science of coaching, teaching, performance enhancement, or leadership focuses on using general scientific principles. The art of coaching, teaching, or leadership is knowing when and how to individualize these general principles.

Sport Psychology Specialties Clinical Sport Psychologists Licensed psychologists Trained to work with individuals with severe emotional disorders Trained to help athletes with issues like eating disorders and substance abuse Performance & team Enhancement Issues

Educational Sport Psychology Specialists Use mental coach approach — understand psychology of human movement & performance. Have training in physical education, kinesiology, or exercise and sport science. Educate and increase athlete and coach awareness of issues such as anxiety management and confidence development.

Relationship of Sport Science and Psychology Sport and Exercise Psychology

Psychophysiological orientation Social–psychological orientation Cognitive–behavioral orientation Three Approaches to Sport and Exercise Psychology

Psychophysiological Orientation Examines underlying psychophysiological processes of the brain in terms of primary causes of behavior. Example: Biofeedback to train marksmen

Social–Psychological Orientation Behavior is determined by a complex interaction of the social environment and the personal make-up of the athlete or exerciser. Example: How a leader’s style and strategies foster group cohesion

Cognitive–Behavioral Orientation Behavior is determined by both the environment and thoughts (cognitions). Example: Studying differences on confidence, anxiety, etc. among tennis players with or without burnout