Module SPRT3191: ADVANCED SPORT AND EXERCISE PSYCHOLOGY

Department: Applied Social Sciences (Sport)

SPRT3191: ADVANCED SPORT AND EXERCISE PSYCHOLOGY

Prerequisites

• Introduction to Sport Psychology; Psychology of Exercise and Health

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To develop comprehensive knowledge and critical understanding of the psychological theories and strategies associated with optimising competitive performance and athlete well-being in sport;
• To develop comprehensive knowledge and critical understanding of the psychological theories and strategies associated with behaviour change towards enhanced participation in exercise and sport.

Content

• This module builds on and extends the psychology knowledge and skills offered in years one and two. The content of the module focuses on theories and application of psychological strategies, including mental skills and counselling intervention techniques. These strategies are studied with respect to their application in three domains: performance enhancement in sport, behaviour change towards enhanced participation in physical activity, and the enhancement of psychological well-being, especially in relation to injury and stress. The module also involves coverage of the basic principles of counselling communication, with a special emphasis on motivational interviewing techniques. Some attention will also be given to issues of ethical and professional conduct in the practice of sport and exercise psychology.

Learning Outcomes

• Critically evaluate theoretical models and research underpinning the application of psychological strategies for the purpose of enhancing performance, participation and well-being;
• Justify the application of specific psychological strategies in addressing performance-, participation or stress-related problems.

• Demonstrate knowledge of effective and sensitive communication skills and appraise their own mastery of these skills;
• Plan, implement and evaluate a basic intervention programme of behaviour change strategies.

• Formulate applied questions, selectively summarise relevant literature, and critically appraise available research and theories in relation to these questions;
• Use IT and library facilities to conduct a search of relevant literature;
• Manage their time appropriately in order to meet the requirements of independent study;
• Find and synthesise information from a range of sources to manage specific applied problems.

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

• Lectures serve to provide general outlines of the concepts and theories and to direct students to relevant literature skills;
• Seminars serve to familiarise students with basic practical applications of intervention techniques and skills, and to provide opportunities to critically reflect on research articles;
• Assessment 1 provides students with an opportunity to critically reflect on the theoretical models and available research underpinning the application of psychological strategies within a sport or exercise context;
• Assessment 2 provides students with an opportunity to apply their knowledge of both communication skills and intervention techniques in a case study situation and to critically reflect on the mastery of their communication skills and the effectiveness of the chosen intervention in that situation.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

■ 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