Introduction and Research Methods Chapter 1 Introduction and Research Methods

Outline What is Sport Psychology? What is the history of Sport Psychology? How do we study Sport Psychology? What are some current issues in Sport Psychology?

What is Sport Psychology? A science in which the broad principles of psychology are applied, in a sport or exercise setting, to enhance a person’s performance and maximize their potential Figure Notes: New York Mets team psychologist Jonathan Fader is available to all players who want to use his services. Perhaps his services helped the Mets reach the 2015 World Series.

What do we mean by performance? Performing well under intense pressure Improving team cohesion, goals, communication Maintaining motivation Reinforcing skills and habits, reduce burnout

How do psychologists fit in? Researchers: Ask questions about psychological factors that predict athletic performance, and design research studies to answer these questions Teachers: Teach college courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels that focus on the impact of psychology on athletic performance Therapists/Clinical Psychologists: Provide mental health care to those struggling in some way with their sport Consultants: Work with coaches and/or teams to improve overall team performance

Clinical/counseling sport psychology Extensive training (often doctoral level) in the field of clinical or counseling psychology Licensed by a state board to treat people with psychological disorders Specific training in issues related to sport and exercise psychology

Educational sport psychology specialists Extensive training in sport and exercise science Educate athletes and coaches about how psychological factors influence performance Not able to treat athletes with psychological disorders

Becoming a sport psychologist Strong interpersonal skills Knowledge of both sport science and psychology Must know the particulars of a sport, as well as strategies for enhancing performance

Becoming a sport psychologist Sport psychologists often work in academic settings, as it can be difficult to obtain a position working with an elite athlete or team Some work in related areas: exercise psychology or performance psychology

History of Sport Psychology: The early years (pre 1950) 1890: Pierre de Coubertin uses the phrase “La psychologie du sport” 1897: Norman Triplett observed that cyclists are faster when they race with others than when they race alone 1923: Coleman Griffith (father of American sport Psychology) developed the class, “Psychology and Athletics”

History of Sport Psychology: The early years (pre 1950) 1890: Pierre de Coubertin uses the phrase “La psychologie du sport” 1897: Norman Triplett observed that cyclists are faster when they race with others than when they race alone 1923: Coleman Griffith (father of American sport Psychology) developed the class, “Psychology and Athletics”

History of Sport Psychology: The formative years (1950-1980) Changed from a focus on exercise physiology/motor learning, to psychological factors influencing athletic skills and performance Optimal states of arousal Benefits of imagery Strategies for managing anxiety Impact of personality First graduate sport psychology specialization, started by Dorothy Harris at Penn State

History of Sport Psychology: The formative years (1950-1980) cont. A general movement from academic to applied focus 1966: Thomas Tutko and Bruce Ogilivie publish Problem Athletes and How to Handle Them Professional organizations & Journals 1965: International Society of Sport Psychology (ISSP) 1966: North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA) 1979: Journal of Sport Psychology (now called Sport and Exercise Psychology)

History of Sport Psychology: the contemporary years (1980-) Embraced by U.S. Olympic Committee 1980: The U.S. Olympic Committee develops a Sport Psychology Advisory Board 1985: Full-time sport psychologist hired 1988: Sport psychologist accompanies the U.S. Olympic team Establishment of more organizations, including Division 47 of the APA

History of Sport Psychology: the contemporary years (1980-) Embraced by U.S. Olympic Committee 1980: The U.S. Olympic Committee develops a Sport Psychology Advisory Board 1985: Full-time sport psychologist hired 1988: Sport psychologist accompanies the U.S. Olympic team Establishment of more organizations, including Division 47 of the APA

How do we study Sport Psychology? Propose a question (hypothesis) Choose a research method Collect data Analyze data Develop a theory

How do we study Sport Psychology? Start with a question, based on observations, intuitions, or existing theories or research Develop Hypotheses testable predictions about the conditions under which an event will occur

How do we study Sport Psychology? Choose a research method for testing the question Decide how you will measure the variable you want to test Collect and analyze your data Develop a coherent theory

Descriptive Research Methods Survey/Interview Qualitative methods Naturalistic observation, case studies, focus groups Archival research Meta-analysis A statistical technique for combining results across multiple studies

Descriptive Research Methods Advantages Disadvantages Relatively easy to conduct, cost-efficient Typically examine real-world situations People may inaccurately report attitudes/behaviors Findings may not generalize (a common issue) Descriptive research methods cannot prove that one variable causes another

Experimental Research Methods Requires some control over the environment Requires random assignment of people to the different experimental conditions Quasi-experiment: essentially an experiment without random assignment

Improving research quality External validity Are the results consistent when the experiment is repeated with different populations? Ecological validity Are the methods, materials, and setting of the study similar enough to the real-world issue being examined?

Current issues in Sport Psychology: Ethics A sport psychologist must display competence, integrity, professional and scientific responsibility, respect for people’s rights and dignity, concern for others’ welfare, social responsibility Potential Issues Knowledge of drug use, recruiting violations, sexual assault, or gambling activity Moral objection to particular sports Providing consultation to peers

Current Issues in Sport Psychology: Ethics https://www.cnn.com/2013/06/06/us/performance-enhancing-drugs-in-sports-fast-facts/index.html https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/24/us/larry-nassar-sentencing/index.html https://www.sbnation.com/2017/4/20/15376288/lavar-ball-worst-thing-happen-basketball-hundred-years-nike-lonzo-ball

Current issues in Sport Psychology: Diversity The field lacks diversity, needs to attract more women and people of color Research needs to include more diverse samples Much past research has been with white males Researchers need to be aware of multicultural issues that influence athletes

Current issues in Sport Psychology: Empirical Basis Lack of emphasis on empirical research The effectiveness of techniques is sometimes unverified through scientific research Not enough experimental research with random assignment, manipulation of variables, and use of a control group