Introduction 07 12 2010 Sport and Exercise Psychology The scientific study of people and their behaviors in sport and exercise activities and the practical application of that knowledge Sport and Exercise Psychology Applies to a Broad Population Base Seniors Children Exercisers Elite Athletes Average Athletes Persons who are physically and or mentally challenged Coaches teachers and fitness leaders Others What Sport and Exercise Psychology Specialists Do The role of the sport and exercise psychologist o Research o Teaching o Consulting Research Teaching Inquiry for the purpose of advancing knowledge and sharing it through professional meetings and journal articles Asking and pursuing answers to questions about sport psychology Teaching university courses in either psychology or exercise and sport science Students coaches parents and athletes who want more information about sport and exercise psychology Consulting Working with athletes of all ages and abilities in the fitness industry and in sports medicine and physical therapy Coaching in the classic format and other behavior modification methods Sport Psychology Specialties Clinical sport psychologists Educational sport psychology specialists Clinical Sport Psychologists Licensed psychologists Trained to work with individuals with severe emotional disorders Trained to help athletes with problems such as eating disorders substance abuse and aggression off of the field This level of practice goes beyond what coaches would be expected to provide Educational Sport Psychology Specialists Use mental coaching approach understand psychology of human Have training in physical education kinesiology or exercise and Educate and increase athletes and coaches awareness of issues movement sport science such as anxiety This is the stance most coaches take in their daily practice Relationship of Sport Science and Psychology Knowledge to Sport and Exercise Psychology Sport and Exercise Psychology o Sport science knowledge domain Biomechanics Exercise psychology Motor development Motor learning and control Sports medicine Sport pedagogy Sport sociology o Psychology knowledge domain Abnormal psychology Clinical psychology Counseling psychology Developmental psychology Experimental psychology Personality psychology Physiological psychology more with contact sports and head trauma Historical Periods in Sport and Exercise Psychology Period 1 The early years 1895 1920 o Norman Triplet tested bicyclists in 1897 to see if people watching effected performance Period 2 The Griffith era 1921 1938 o Coleman Griffith was the founding father of modern sport psychology first to publish book of mind and performance Period 3 Preparation for the future 1939 1965 o Franklin Henry starting to get ready for the effects of stress o First organizations and journals put together Period 4 Establishment of academic sport psychology 1966 1977 o Departments forming and courses taught at university level o Bruce Ogilvy one of the founders of this being used Period 5 Multidisciplinary science and practice in sport and exercise psychology 1978 2000 o Impact in international competition Period 6 Contemporary sport and exercise psychology 2001 present o Different options in the studies something for everyone Science of Sport and Exercise Psychology Science a process or method of learning about the world through the systematic controlled empirical and critical filtering of knowledge acquired through experience Goals of Science Theory ultimate goal of science derives from the following o Describing o Explaining o Predicting o Controlling Scientific Guidelines o Systematic o Controlled o Empirical approach o Critical thinking Scientific Study Theory a set of interrelated facts presenting a systematic view of some phenomenon in order to describe explain and predict its future occurrences o Ex Social facilitation theory Study Versus Experiments environment in any way o Ex Study the investigator observes or assesses without changing the A hundred runners complete a survey that assesses goal setting imagery and self talk however nothing is changed in the environment The 20 fastest runners survey responses are compared against those of the 20 slowest Experiment the investigator manipulates variables while observing them then examines how changes in one or more variables affect changes in others o Ex Runners are divided into two equal groups Experiment group receives training on setting goals using imagery and using positive self talk The second control group receives no psychological skills training Running times or both groups are measured If the experimental group outperforms the control group with other factors that might affect the relation controlled a cause effect relationship is established Note the advantage of an experiment is that researchers are better able to determine causal or cause and effect relationships Understanding Professional Practice Knowledge Professional practice knowledge is what we learn through experience using many methods of knowing Methods of Knowing o Scientific method most control but hard to take into the field o Systematic observation o Single case study o Shared public experience o Introspection thinking about in their own head o Intuition gut instinct All have value but only some can be controlled Comparing Strengths and Limitations of Scientific and Professional Practice Knowledge Scientifically Derived Knowledge o Strengths Highly reliable Systematic and controlled Objective and unbiased o Limitations Reductionistic or conservative often slow to evolve Lack of focus on external validity practicality Professional Practice Knowledge o Strengths Holistic Innovative Immediate o Limitations Less reliable Lack of explanations Greater susceptibility to bias Integrating Scientific and Professional Practice Knowledge An active approach o Apply scientific principles in your professional work setting o Evaluate the utility of scientific principles in the particular context in which you are involved o Keep current by updating and modifying your scientific knowledge base o Hold realistic expectations relative to the strengths and limitations of scientific principles Sport and Exercise Psychology As an Art and a Science The science of coaching teaching 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 contextual intelligence is critical Three