module specification

This module will introduce students to basic principles in a range of areas, which will be critical to development of a true understanding of sports performance and participation from the psychological perspective. The module will primarily develop an understanding of the impact that psychological state has on both performance and participation. In order to achieve this the module will cover the basics in a range of psychological criteria from goal setting, through concentration, confidence and imagery to development of leadership skills. Throughout each topic will be viewed from the position of competitive sport, participatory sport and health and fitness styled exercise.

In addition, parts of the module will focus specifically on emotional and psychological wellbeing, showing how sport and exercise can benefit our physical condition and psychological wellbeing.

The development of sound reflective practice principles will be included within the scope of the module and both theoretical and practical application of reflection will be considered highly.

Practical elements will be included within the syllabus, featuring measurement and assessment tools used in sport psychology as well as practical application of sport psychology in a sports hall or laboratory-based environment.

Available for Study Abroad? No

• Introduction to sport psychology (LO1)
• Goal setting (LO1, LO2)
• Concentration (LO1, LO2)
• Stress and anxiety (LO1, LO2)
• Confidence (LO1, LO2)
• Imagery (LO1, LO2)
• Leadership (LO1)
• Stress and wellbeing (LO1)
• Reflective practice (LO2, LO3)
• Practical application of sport psychology (LO1, LO2, LO3)

Lectures will be used as a starting point to initiate further engagement activities around a specific topic area. This will promote a variety of learning opportunities which should appeal to all students. Lectures will therefore form the core material from which to expand knowledge in a variety of directions.

Practical sessions will be used to demonstrate visually and in a hands-on fashion, the psychological concepts taught in the lecture room. Students will be able to build skills on the theoretical base, enabling both visual and verbal learners to progress. The holistic methods taught will ensure the development of very competent students.

Tutorial sessions will be used to support the lecture material and allow the students to engage in the material using problem-solving skills and directed learning will be used to develop an understanding beyond the material given in lectures. This will include both exercises set within the lecture and independent tutorial sessions, as well as involving using the web and library resources. Tutorial sessions will also form the bridge between theoretical lecture material and the above practical hands-on sessions, in that tutorials will frequently involve the planning and preparation of practical sessions.

Reflective practice will be heavily employed. Again theoretical knowledge will be presented in lectures, followed by planning of the reflective practice process in tutorials and the practical application at various stages of the module.

LO1:  Appreciate a range of sport psychology applications and how they might impact sports and exercise related lifestyles
LO2: Demonstrate an understanding of the use of mental skills
LO3: Develop an understanding of the role played by reflective practice in personal development

Assessments have been designed to provide students with a diverse range of tasks that maintain interest and encourage engagement. This breadth also ensures the development of a greater number of key skills pertinent to employability.

The first assessment (001) will be a Class Exam in Teaching Week (9). This will take place in class time and will cover material from the main body of the taught part of the module. This will give students the opportunity to review material which has built week on week and respond to questions posed regarding its detail and context. The exam will test students recall (with short-answer questions), but also the level of understanding behind some of the sport psychology concepts that have been presented over the module so far (with slightly longer answer questions).

The second assessment (002) will arrive in Teaching Week (15) and will be a piece of coursework which relates to the practical application of sport psychology (or a facet of sport psychology). The students will now be able to show an understanding of the sport psychology principles learnt as well as reflectively consider how this can be integrated into their own personal development. This will provide valuable expertise and a first step in honing skills which, by the end of the course, they will be able to take out into the employment sector.

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