Aims

This module aims to introduce students to the area of sport and exercise psychology. The module provides an overview and an examination of psychological factors which influence individual and group behaviour in sport and exercise. The module also aims to critically examine, evaluate, and apply psychological principles, theory, and research within sport and exercise. Practical and ethical issues in sport and exercise psychology will also be examined.

Outline Of Syllabus

Students will cover a broad range of topics within sport and exercise psychology as outlined below;

Learning about Participants
•       Motivation
•       Arousal, Stress and Anxiety

Understanding Sport and Exercise Environments
•       Competition and Cooperation
•       Feedback, Reinforcement, and Intrinsic Motivation

Focusing on Group Processes
•       Group and Team Dynamics
•       Group Cohesion
•       Leadership
•       Communication

Improving Performance
•       Arousal Regulation
•       Imagery
•       Self-Confidence
•       Goal Setting
•       Concentration

Enhancing Health and Well Being
•       Exercise and Psychological Well Being
•       Exercise Behaviour and Adherence
•       Athletic Injuries and Psychology
•       Addictive and Unhealthy Behaviours
•       Burnout and Overtraining

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Weekly lectures will provide students with an understanding of the core topics and include relevant theory and empirical content to present an overview of the key information. They may also comprise of directed reading and problem-based case studies. There will be opportunities to generate group discussion and to enable students to develop skills in interpreting data within a theoretical framework, critical thinking, creative problem solving skills, and an ability to link theory to practice. The seminars will act as preparation for the open-book written exam. They will take a flipped classroom approach whereby the students will be expected to turn up having written a short essay style answer to a question set based on one of the previous lectures. The students will first peer-mark each other’s work, before having some general feedback and guidance on the question.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The open book written exam will be used to assess knowledge, independent learning and understanding of material relevant to the module.

The oral presentation will be by a small group of students (3-5).
Students will be assessed on: 1) personal presentation style, 2) contribution to the group, 3) quality and relevance of content. A single categorical mark per student will be derived from these scores. This oral presentation will partially assess knowledge outcomes and significantly assess the skill outcomes –research, team working and communication and presentation skills.

These assessments are based on having students practice, experience, and be assessed on skills that are relevant in their future work (i.e. presenting, communicating, and answering questions with the use of resources).