Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology

Question 1

What is play?

Answer 1

Play is derived from the Angle Saxon word Plega which means to guarantee to stand up for, to risk for a purpose

Play is described as a behavior for the sake of fun and enjoyment with no abstract objective in mind

Question 2

Why do people play?

Answer 2

Play has a relaxation function or it helps us release excess energy or learn or rehearse skills as children that we need as adults

Provides the ability to reduce anxiety by confronting fears in a comfortable setting

Question 3

What is a game?

Answer 3

ANy playful competition whose outcome is determined by special talent, strategy or chance

Question 4

What is the main difference between play and game?

Answer 4

Laws are more common in games, but mainly because game requires rivalry

Question 5

What is sport?

Answer 5

Sport is highly institutionalized

Question 6

What are the 4 types of institution for sport?

Answer 6

Governing bodies, leagues, sponsors and managers

Technical advances in equipment, clothing, and facilities

Symbolic dimension in the context of ceremony, ritual, presentation, and confidentiality

Instructional aspect involving coaches, trainers and manuals

Question 7

What is exercise?

Answer 7

Any physical activity performed to improve one’s health or fitness

Question 8

What is the difference between exercise and sport?

Answer 8

Competition and exercise does not require as much institutionalization

Question 9

What is psychology?

Answer 9

Study of behavior and mental life , but also deals with mental phenomena

Question 10

What categories is psychology broken into?

Answer 10

Think and Feel

Question 11

What is think and feel referred to?

Answer 11

Cognitive affective distinction

Question 12

Psychology can be described as….?

Answer 12

Scientific study of feelings, thoughts, and behavior

Question 13

What is exercise and sport psychology?

Answer 13

Study of feelings, thoughts, and behaviors in an exercise or sport setting

Question 14

What are their 2 endeavors?

Answer 14

Primary and applied research

Question 15

What is primary research?

Answer 15

Involves gathering data on the role of the mental factors in physical domains. It is about the pure science of conducting research, developing theories, and conducting investigations

Ex Performance anxiety and which theories best explains consequences

Question 16

What is Applied Research?

Answer 16

On anxiety, it would be how to control anxiety levels to improve performance. The job is to assist athlete in improving performance

Question 17

What are the psychology subdisciplines?

Answer 17

Cognitive psychology- perception, attention, memory, thinking and language

Developmental-how peoples behavior changes as they grow older

Individual variation- how individuals vary in predictable and consistent ways such as personality or intelligence

Psychopathology- psychological dysfunction such as addiction and depression

Physiological Psychology-connects what we know about physiology and how we think, feel and behave

Social psychology-how individuals communicate

Question 18

Why is the criticism that psychology is common sense wrong?

Answer 18

Common sense is inconsistent; two people can have opposite opinions and still think they are correct

Ex-football manager prefers yelling to inspire, one does not

Common sense incorrect; the fact that many people believe something does not make it true

Ex Milgram Study- people behave in unpredictable ways, giving shocks to people to obey authority

Question 19

Clinical vs Educational Sport Psychology

Answer 19

Clinical sports psychology are certified practitioners and have undergone additional sport and exercise psychology and sports sciences. They have advanced expertise in psychology and can diagnose and treat people with emotional disorders Ex suicidal tendencies or depression

Educational sport psychology have expertise in sport and exercise science, physical education and kinestology and are well versed in the psychology of human movement, especially in sport and exercise

Not trained to treat people with emotional disorders

Have advanced graduate experience in psychology and counseling

Question 20

Educational psychology

Answer 20

Mental coach who educates athletes and exercisers about psychological skills and their progress through group and individual session

Question 21

Educational psychology areas of expertise

Answer 21

Anxiety management
Confidence development
Improved communication

Question 22

Who is the grandfather of sports psychology and what did he do?

Answer 22

Colemen Griffith worked with athletes the the University of Illinois in 1925, made sport psychology a career