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Sport Psychology
Unit 1: Introduction to Sport Psychology

1. Define Sport Psychology.

Sport Psychology is a proficiency that uses psychological knowledge and skills to address
optimal performance and well-being of athletes.

2. Make a presentation of the history of sport psychology.

History of Sport Psychology
 Early years (1895-1920)
 Griffith’s era (1921-38)
 Scientific aspects (1938-65)
 Establishing academic sport psychology (1966-77)
 Science and practice if sport and exercise psychology (1978-2000)
 Contemporary sport and exercise psychology (2000- present)
3. Explain the role of the Sport Psychologist.
Sport Psychologist help athletes to improve their performance. In most sports’
psychology careers, you work with athletes on motivation, stress management,
visualization and effective teamwork.

4. Identify ethical issues in Sport Psychology

 Professional and scientific relationship
 Human Differences
 Boundaries of competence
 Personal problems and conflicts
 Maintaining confidentiality

Unit 2: Motivation and Sport Performance

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1. Define motivation
Motivation is the process of stimulating individuals to take action in order to achieve a
goal.
2. Understand and apply the theories of motivation.
 Self-Determination
 Need achievement theory
 Cognitive Evaluation Theory (Intrinsic and Extrinsic)
 Competence Motivation (goal orientation)
 Drive Theory
3. Identify motivational strategies for different age groups.

Define Drive

 an individual arousal levels increases; performance will also increase linearly. 

define Motive

 motive implies an emotion or desire operating on the will and causing it to act. 

Biological Drive

the fundamental drives which govern and affect human behavior. They pertain to the most basic
physiological needs of man such as hunger, thirst, sex

Motivation and sports Performance

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▪ Strategies for motivating students and athletes I. Pep talk, ii. Self-talk ▪ Communication ▪
Rewards, praise and encouragement ▪ Developing Leadership skills ▪ Make it fun ▪ Team
Interaction

Anxiety and Sports Performance

▪ Causes of anxiety

I. Stress Fear ii. Unexpected Interruption ▪ Regulating Anxiety I. Sensitization techniques ii.
Simulation iii. Visual Imagery iv. Meditation ▪ Indicators of anxiety v. Bio-feedback vi. Pacing
vii. Withdraw

Unit 3: Aggression and Violence in Sport

What is violence?

Violence is any behaviour directed toward intentionally harming or injuring another human
being.

OR

Violence is any form of behaviour directed toward the goal of harming or injuring another living
being who is motivated to avoid such treatment, (Baron & Richardson, 1994).

Theories of Aggression Theory:

Instinct Theory

People have a natural tendency to be violent, which builds up until it must unavoidably be
exhibited, according to the instinct theory (Gill, 2000). This instinct can either be openly
expressed by attacking another living thing or it can be repressed through catharsis, in which
anger is let out or "blown off" through appropriate social outlets like athletics.

Frustration Aggression Hypothesis

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The frustration-aggression theory, often known as the drive theory, posits that dissatisfaction
over goal obstruction or failure directly leads to aggression (Dollard, Doob, Miller, Mowrer, &
Sears, 1939). Psychologists first accepted the notion as being logically plausible because most
violent behaviors are motivated by frustration.

Social Learning Theory

According to the social learning hypothesis, aggression is a behavior that people pick up by
watching others engage in specific actions and then getting rewarded for doing the same. Albert
Bandura, a psychologist, discovered in 1973 that youngsters who witnessed adult role models
engaging in violent behavior (beating up "bobo dolls") were more likely to mimic that behavior
themselves. When youngsters were rewarded for imitating the actions of the adult models, the
modeling effects were extremely potent.

Catharsis Hypothesis

According to the catharsis idea, emotions accumulate and lead to pressure if they are not
released, much to how air builds up inside a balloon until it explodes. By letting go of emotions,
a person's pressure or tension lowers, which reduces their negative emotions and aggressiveness.
The catharsis idea was first applied in psychiatric therapy by Sigmund Freud, who eventually
abandoned it in favor of psychoanalysis. According to the belief, releasing or venting one's wrath
and hostility should lessen the sense of aggression. Catharsis in therapeutic contexts involves
more than merely expressing anger. Instead, it involves reliving a painful incident and expressing
the intense emotions connected to it. 

Examine the relationship between aggression and sport performance.

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Aggression level is increased as long as competition level increased.

Studies examining sport and aggression showed that athletes learn aggressive behaviors from
their environment (peers, trainer, family, manager, media etc.…) and seen frequency of these
behaviors are increased as long as career is increased.

Identify the causes of Violence in sport.

Causes of Violence in Sport Angry or frustrated at a decision or the result of a match. If there is a
lot of tension and the emotion gets too much. Local Rivalry. If they are provoked by an opponent
or the fans. If they believe they can get away with it. The use of drugs can cause people to
become violent or the conduct of coaches and poor administration likely to cause violence in
sports. Delay in decision making and rigidness to rules of the game by referees may influence
sport violence. Exaggeration by mass media is considered as another cause. Drug abuse among
players and spectators can lead to violence in sports.

Differentiate between aggressive and assertive behaviours in Sport.

assertive behavior is all about standing up for yourself and your values in an unthreatening
manner, while aggression puts others down. Assertive and aggressive behavior are two totally
different approaches to communication and, often, confrontation.

Define Aggression
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aggression is a verbal or physical behavior that is directed intentionally toward another

individual and has the potential to cause psychological or physical harm. 

Aggression and Sport Performance

▪ Arousal ▪ Environmental factors ▪ Perception of victim’s intent ▪ Fear of retaliation ▪ Assertive

player ▪ Gender differences ▪ Implication for Teachers Coaches and Athletes I. Win at all cost ii.
Abuse of rules iii. Role Models iv. Respecting officials and other stake holders.

Preventing Aggression

▪ Modelling Non-aggressive Behaviours ▪ Penalties ▪ Removal of external stimuli. ▪ Socialization

▪ Management of Sporting Events and Environment

Unit 4

Team Dynamics Instructional Objectives

Understand the concept of team cohesion.

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Team cohesion is the strength and extent of interpersonal connection existing among the
members of a group. It is this interpersonal bond that causes members to participate readily and
remain motivated to accomplish the set goals. Cohesive teams have an attitude of “we-ness.”

A cohesive team has the following characteristics:

 Team members are driven to achieve a common goal.

 Each member contributes towards the overall success.
 They have a shared culture, values, and processes.
 They respect, trust, and support each other.
 They come to each other's aid without being asked.

Identify the determinants of team cohesion

The main factors that determine team cohesion are the similarity between members’ interests,
group size, shared successes, and the threat of external competitors.

Explain the roles and interactions of team members.

 Complete tasks and assignments as delegated by the team leader

 Actively participate in the team
 Ask questions to clarify duties and responsibilities
 Be an active listener
 Take notes and keep documentation of processes and procedures related to your role

Observe and make recommendations for improving Team Dynamics.

 Health checks One of the most efficient ways to ensure your team’s wellbeing is by
applying health checks. ...
 Open communication It’s so important to highlight open communication during work
projects. ...
 Assign roles and responsibilities All members of the team should have specifically
assigned roles and responsibilities. ...
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 Grow workplace culture ...

How to recognize Team Dynamics

▪ How a group becomes a team ▪ Team Personnel ▪ Traits of an effective Team

Developing an effective

Team Climate ▪ Communication ▪ Leadership Style ▪ Participation ▪ Trust ▪ Changes within the
Group. ▪ Cooperative efforts and Goal
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