Using Sport Psychology Using Sport Psychology to Teach Traditional to Teach Traditional

Psychology Courses Psychology Courses

American Psychological Association American Psychological Association Annual MeetingAnnual Meeting

August 6-10, 2003August 6-10, 2003Toronto CanadaToronto Canada

Dr. Judy Van RaalteSpringfield College

Dr. Vincent GranitoJohn Carroll University

Dr. Diane FinleyPrince George’s Community College

Introduction to Field of Sport PsychologyIntroduction to Field of Sport Psychology Academic and Work Settings for Sport Academic and Work Settings for Sport

PsychologistsPsychologists Sport Psychology in Introduction to Sport Psychology in Introduction to

PsychologyPsychology Sport Psychology in Personality Sport Psychology in Personality

PsychologyPsychology Sport Psychology in Lifespan and Child Sport Psychology in Lifespan and Child

PsychologyPsychology

•Sport Psychology: Interdisciplinary Field Combines psychology and sport science

•Applied field – similar to educational and industrial/organizational psychology•Focus is on how psychological principles and theories explain behavior in action; how psychological principles can improve performance

•Sport psychologists work in a variety of arenas:academiabusinessathletic departmentsprivate consulting

Sport Psychology in Lifespan Sport Psychology in Lifespan and Child Psychologyand Child Psychology

Many topics in sport psychology are also Many topics in sport psychology are also taught in Lifespan and Child Psychology taught in Lifespan and Child Psychology courses. courses.

Topics that cross courses include:Topics that cross courses include:MotivationMotivationPersonalityPersonalityAggressionAggressionYouth SportsYouth SportsExercise BehaviorExercise Behavior

MotivationMotivation

Motivation is a topic that covers many Motivation is a topic that covers many areas. areas.

Attribution theory is particularly relevant .Attribution theory is particularly relevant . We often teach attribution by using We often teach attribution by using

examples from the classroom. examples from the classroom. A more interesting and interactive A more interesting and interactive

approach is to use sport.approach is to use sport.

Group projectGroup project

Why do athletes and coaches say they win and Why do athletes and coaches say they win and lose?lose?

Bring in newspapers.Bring in newspapers. Have students find an article in which an athlete Have students find an article in which an athlete

or coach discusses wins and lossesor coach discusses wins and losses Have groups chart each as internal/external, Have groups chart each as internal/external,

locus of causality, stability and controllabilitylocus of causality, stability and controllability

Exercise BehaviorExercise Behavior

Obesity is on the rise in children.Obesity is on the rise in children. Increasing exercise behavior is critical.Increasing exercise behavior is critical. Increasing exercise behavior among Increasing exercise behavior among

adults is a common topic in sport adults is a common topic in sport psychology.psychology.

Use the same ideas related to children Use the same ideas related to children and adolescents.and adolescents.

Have students list reasons why people Have students list reasons why people and kids don’t exercise.and kids don’t exercise.

Present research on what enhances Present research on what enhances exercise adherence.exercise adherence.

Using what we know about exercise Using what we know about exercise adherence and cognitive levels (Piaget), adherence and cognitive levels (Piaget), design an exercise program for children of design an exercise program for children of different ages.different ages.

Evaluate a local sports program for kids.Evaluate a local sports program for kids.

AggressionAggression

Aggression and bullying has become a Aggression and bullying has become a major focus in many child psychology major focus in many child psychology courses.courses.

How do you decide if playground behavior How do you decide if playground behavior is aggression?is aggression?

Aggression is defined as involving harm or Aggression is defined as involving harm or injury, directed toward a living thing and injury, directed toward a living thing and involving intent.involving intent.

Object: To decide if a behavior is Object: To decide if a behavior is aggressive or not aggressiveaggressive or not aggressive

Tape several clips of a contact sport on Tape several clips of a contact sport on television such as football or hockey. Try television such as football or hockey. Try to find penalty situations.to find penalty situations.

Have students evaluate the clips Have students evaluate the clips according to the criteria. Focus on the according to the criteria. Focus on the issue of intent.issue of intent.

Have students brainstorm situations where Have students brainstorm situations where children would be aggressive – apply the children would be aggressive – apply the criteria again.criteria again.

Using SportUsing Sport

There are many other topics in most There are many other topics in most psychology courses that can be psychology courses that can be demonstrated using sport activities.demonstrated using sport activities.

Sport increases interest and helps Sport increases interest and helps students learn to apply theory to real life.students learn to apply theory to real life.

Thanks for coming!Thanks for coming!

Contact Information:Contact Information:Dr. Diane FinleyDr. Diane FinleyDepartment of PsychologyDepartment of Psychology

Prince George’s Community CollegePrince George’s Community College301 Largo Road301 Largo Road

Largo MD 20774Largo MD 20774dfinley@pgcc.edudfinley@pgcc.edu