Dr Phil Birch

Learning Outcomes
By the end of the session students should be able to:

Understand the module content, structure and

assessments
Be clear about what is expected of yourselves/of me
within the module
Understand the basic model of working as a sport
psychologist and where mental / psychological skills fit
in
Clearly understand the differentiation between
psychological skills and strategies or techniques
Module overview
Lectures
Thursday 11AM-12:30PM – Mitre lecture

Seminars / Workshops

Tuesday 1-2.30PM, 2.30-4PM, 4.30PM-6PM

(E312)
Wednesday 9-10:30AM, 10:30-12PM
(S2, sports hall)

Week 7 & 13 – Media Centre

Module staff

Phil Birch – p.birch@chi.ac.uk

Jo Davies – contact Phil in the first instance

Module outline
Module outline II
1) Written assignment – 2000 words

Critique of the efficacy of either

Goal setting
OR
Imagery

as a technique to develop psychological skills.

Hand-in – Monday 26th October 10AM

 Essay Marking criteria
Describe and explain theory and research to critically evaluate the
efficacy of a selected mental skill (approx 70%)

 Provide accurate and detailed description of appropriate theory

 Identify and critically evaluate relevant research linking
psychological strategies (i.e imagery or goal setting) to key
psychological skill (i.e. attentional control or motivation)
 Use research evidence of strategy impact on other psychological
skills to develop analysis of overall efficacy
 Use a range of research evidence incorporating group and single
subject design
 Essay Marking criteria

Write in an appropriate academic style (approx 30%)

 Clear and coherent development of arguments

 Synthesis of research evidence where appropriate
 Reference correctly
Group DVD – 20 minute DVD

Groups of 5 – self selected by week 7

Can be anyone from the module not seminar groups alone

Spread the workload
Assessment criteria

 Deliver a coherent presentation that effectively

enables the audience to practice a mental skill
(technique) (70%)
 Utilise audio-visual technology to present information
in an informative and entertaining fashion (30%)

More detailed breakdown as module unfolds

Hand in date – Monday 14th December

What we expect:

Be prepared – do the work

Take part – get involved

Enjoy it
Lecture slides on moodle by Wednesday
afternoon latest

Tutors for module –

Dr. Phil Birch – New Hall Room N320

Every week – Thursday 2-4.30PM (this is

subject to change)

Check slots on sport science moodle page

 Resources
 Anderson, M.B. (2000). Doing Sport Psychology. Human Kinetics
 Gardner, F. & Moore, Z. (2006) Clinical Sport Psychology.
Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
 Horn, T. (2008) (Ed.) Advances in Sport Psychology (3rd Edition).
Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
 Mellalieu, S.D. & Hanton, S. (2008). Advances in Applied Sport
Psychology: A Review. Routledge: London
 Morris, T. & Summers, J. (Eds.), (2004) Sport Psychology: Theory,
Applications and Issues (2nd Edition). QLD: Wiley.
 Murphy, S.M. (2005). The Sport Psych Handbook. Human Kinetics:
Champaign, IL.
 Taylor, J. and Wilson, G. (2005) Applying Sport Psychology.
Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
 Van Raalte, J.L. & Brewer, B.W. (2002) Exploring Sport and Exercise
Psychology. Washington DC: American Psychological Association.
 Williams, J.M. (2005). Applied Sport Psychology: Personal Growth to
Peak Performance. Mountain View: McGraw-Hill.
Assessment

Intervention

Evaluation
Theoretical Model
Performance enhancement processes in applied
sport psychology (Thomas, 1990)

7 phases of performance enhancement

processes:
 Orientation
 Sport Analysis
 Individual/team assessment
 Conceptualisation
 Psychological Skills Training
 Implementation
 Evaluation
Theoretical Model

5 stages
 Education
 Assess
 Learn
 Apply
 Evaluation
Psychological Skills Training
Characteristics - mental skills developed
Positive nature of the process
Focus on developing new skills to aid performance

Psychological Skills Training (PST)

Developing mental skills/attributes through use of
psychological techniques
 E.g. developing mental skill of attentional control
through techniques of imagery and self-talk
 Same techniques can be utilised for different skills
Skills and techniques
 VEALEY (1988) SKILLS AND Strategies / Techniques
 GOAL SETTING
METHODS FOR DEVELOPING
PSYCHOLOGICAL  IMAGERY

APPROACHES  PHYSICAL RELAXATION

 THOUGHT CONTROL
 SKILLS
 Etc.
 SELF AWARENESS
 SELF CONFIDENCE
 OPTIMAL ATTENTION
 OPTIMAL AROUSAL

 Hardy, Jones and Gould (1996)

 Label as basic (techniques /
strategies) and advanced
skills
Matching Skills to Techniques?
Skills Techniques
Self-Confidence Imagery

Anxiety Appraisal Self-talk

Goal setting
Attention Control
For Next Week’s Seminar….

Read both papers on moodle

Sinclair & Sinclair (1994).

Mathers and Brodie (2011)

Reflect on your own use of strategies.