Module SPRT1261: SPORT AND EXERCISE PSYCHOLOGY

Department: APPLIED SOCIAL SCIENCES (SPORT)

SPRT1261: SPORT AND EXERCISE PSYCHOLOGY

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• Provide students with a basic knowledge and understanding of the field of sport and exercise psychology, including familiarity with the major theories, intervention strategies and methods of data collection
• Prepare students with sufficient understanding of the body of knowledge of sport and exercise psychology to effectively deal with psychological content offered as part of other modules at Levels 2 and 3, in particular the Level 2 modules of Sports Injuries and Rehabilitation and Coaching in Sport, as well as the behaviour change components related to the implementation of sports policy.

Content

• The module will introduce students to the study of the psychological aspects relevant to participation and performance in sport and exercise.
• The following areas will be examined: Major theoretical approaches underpinning sport and exercise psychology; History, organisations and journals of sport and exercise psychology; Some research tools in sport and exercise psychology (especially inventories); Motivation, in relation to both participation and achievement; Attitudes and beliefs underlying participation and achievement; Issues around personality, group dynamics and leadership; Psychological skills, their applications, and their role in performance and general well-being; Aspects of psychological wellbeing, including self-esteem, self-confidence, stress, anxiety and mood; Psychological effects of participation in sport and exercise.

Learning Outcomes

• Explain a range of psychological concepts relevant to sports participation and performance, with their theories and applications.
• Demonstrate basic understanding of conventional methods of data collection in sport and exercise psychology;
• Identify the major theoretical approaches within psychology and some of their manifestations in sport and exercise psychology.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Teaching and learning will be centred on lectures, practicals and seminars.
• Lectures serve to provide general outlines of the concepts and theories and to direct students to relevant literature.
• Practical sessions serve to provide students with opportunities to more fully engage with the theoretical concepts and to gain hands-on experience with psychological measurements.
• Seminar sessions serve to familiarise students with the structure and jargon of research communications in sport and exercise psychology.
• In addition, two tutorial sessions will be scheduled to support assessment preparations and feeback.
• Assessment will entail a 2,500 word assignment and a two hour examination.
• The assignment will allow students to combine theoretical knowledge with some basic methodological principles of data collection. At the same time, it will encourage students' writing skills, basic literature search, independent learning, and time management skills.
• The examination will test students' knowledge and understanding of the relevant theories and concepts addressed in the module.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

1,000 word written report.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University