Sports psychology in action
This course explains the psychological dynamics at play within competitive sports settings, focusing on how individual and group factors influence performance. Students will investigate topics such as aggression in sport, team cohesion, leadership styles, personality traits, and the effects of an audience on athletic performance. By examining real-world scenarios and applying psychological theories, learners will gain insight into how athletes think, feel, and behave under pressure. This course deepens understanding of how to enhance performance and manage behaviour in both individual and team environments.
Key Information
COURSE SYLLABUS
| Department | Social Science |
| Course Length | 10 weeks |
| Live Lessons | One 45-minute lesson per week |
| Homework | Approximately half an hour a week |
| Examination | None |
| Entry Requirements | None |
Course Syllabus
| Lesson 1 | Aggression in Sport: Types, Causes, and Contexts |
| Lesson 2 | Managing aggression |
| Lesson 3 | Group and Team Dynamics: Roles, Norms, and Cohesion |
| Lesson 4 | Maximising Team Performance: Stages of Development and Group Influence |
| Lesson 5 | Personality in Sport: Trait Theories and Performance Links |
| Lesson 6 | Personality Profiling: Applications and Limitations in Sport |
| Lesson 7 | Leadership in Sport: Styles and Theories |
| Lesson 8 | Effective Leadership in Practice |
| Lesson 9 | Social facilitation and inhibition theory |
| Lesson 10 | Coping with Pressure and Spectator Effects |