Sport and Exercise Psychology

1
Sport and Exercise Psychology

2
Defining Sport Psychology

• Sport Psychology is the scientific study of
  people and their behaviors in sport and exercise
  context and the practical application of that
  knowledge

3
Objective ATo Understand the Effects of
Psychological Factors on Physical or Motor
PerformanceObjective BThe understand the
Effects of Participating in Physical Activity on
Psychological Development, Health and Well Being
4
Questions Often Asked

• Objective A
• How does anxiety affect a basketball players
  accuracy in free-throw shooting?
• Does lacking self confidence influence a child's
  ability to learn to swim?
• Objective B
• Does running reduce anxiety and depression?
• Does participation in daily physical education
  classes improve a childs self esteem?

5
What can I do with Sports Psychology?

• The Research Role
• Gaining more knowledge to advance the field
• The Teaching Role
• Teaching the knowledge to others
• The Consulting Role
• Working with individuals to enhance preformance

6
Clinical vs. EducationalSports Psychology

• Clinical psychologists treat those athletes who
  have severe emotional disorders. They have
  extensive training in psychology. Eating
  disorders and substance abuse are two areas that
  we see Clinical Sports Psychology
• Educational sports psychology specialists are
  mental coaches who work with developing
  psychological skills that enhance performance in
  athletes. We see them working with athletes in
  dealing with anxiety, communication and
  confidence building. (examples)

7

• What is Sports Psychology based on?
• Scientific Knowledge
• Or
• Professional Practice Knowledge

8
Sport Psychology is Scientific

• The concepts or sports psychology have been
  developed through the Scientific Method
• Science is dynamic it is a process of learning
• The Scientific Method involves some general
  guidelines
• The Scientific Method involves some theories.
• The Scientific Method involves Studies and
  Experiments

9
Guidelines to the Scientific Method

• It is dictated by a Systematic Approach
• It involves a Control of conditions
• It is Empirical
• It is Critical

10
Theory

• A set of interrelated facts that presents a
  systematic view of some phenomenon in order to
  describe, explain, and predict its future
  occurrences.
• It allows scientists to organize and explain
  large numbers of facts in a pattern in order to
  better understand those facts.
• Theories then turn into practice

11
Study vs. Experiment

• A study involves the investigator observing or
  assessing factors without changing the
  environment.
• An experiment the investigator manipulates the
  variables along the way.
• Experimental Group
• Control Group

12
Professional Knowledge

• Refers to the knowledge that is gained through
  experiences
• Systematic Observation
• Case Study
• Shared Public Experience