Chapter 1

Internal validity

A limitation of science is its overemphasis on internal validity. Science favors the extent to which the results of an investigation can be attributed to the treatment used.

Theory

A scientists ultimate goal is a theory. It is a set of interrelated facts that present a systematic view of some phenomenon in order to describe, explain, or predict its future occurrences. Theory then turns into practice

Study

An investigator observes or assesses factors without changing the environment in any way. Have limited ability to identify what scienctists call causal (cause and effect) relationships between factors.

Contemporary Sport Distinction between two specialties (2)

Clinical sport psych: - Extensive training required (board certified) to treat individuals with emotional disorders and additional training in sport and exercise psychology - Can deal with eating disorders and substance abuse Educational sport psych: - Have extensive training in sport and exercise science, physical education, kinesiology. - Taken advanced graduate training in psychology and counseling. - Not trained to treat individuals with emotional disorders, and are not licensed. - "Mental coach" who educates athletes about psychological skills and development. - Refers someone with an emotional disorder to a clinical sports psychologist.

What are the AASP ethics 6 principles?

Competence Integrity Professional and scientific responsibility Respect for people's rights and dignity Concern for welfare of others Social responsibility

Period 6

Contemporary Sport and Exercise Psychology (2001-Present). Some serious issues need to be addressed still.

History of Sport and exercise psychology

Dates back to 1880s, and references to psychology can be traced to ancient Olympic Games. History mimics psychology, physical ed, and kinesiology history. Influenced by a larger sociocultural development, ex: growth of Olympics, women's liberation.

Scientific Method

Dictates a systematic approach to studying a question. It is empirical - based on observation. It is critical - it involves rigorous evaluation by the researcher and other scientists.

Experiment

Differs from a study in that the investigator manilpulates variables along with observing them to observe how one affects the other (causal relationship can be drawn). Uses experimental groups and control groups.

Period 1

Early Years: 1893-1920 North America, sports psych bevan in 1890s. "new psychology" movement headed by Triplett and Scripture focused on using experimental laboratory methods and measurements to gain knowledge. Philosophical perspective of psychology headed by Pierre de Coubertin, who founded the modern Olympic Games. Overall, psychologists measured athletes reaction times, how people learn sport skills, and role of sport in personality and character development, but did little to apply these studies. People dabbled in sport psychology, but no one specialized in the field.

Period 4

Establishment of Academic Sport Psychology (1966-1977). Physical education became an academic discipline (now called kinesiology or exercise and sport science) and sport psychology had become a separate component in this discipline, distinct from motor learning. Motor learning focused on how people acquire motor skills (not necessarily sport) and on conditions of practice, feedback, and timing. Applied sport psychology consultants began working with teams: Bruce Ogilvie is often called the father of North American applied sport psychology. The first sport psychology societies were established in north america.

Introspection

Initial ideas on how someone wants to carry out a process. ie: Volleyball coach uses introspection on how she wants to coach this year.

Period 5

Multidisciplinary Science and Practice in Sport and Exercise Psychology (1978-2000). Tremendous growth in sport and exercise psychology in North America and Internationally. Field became more accepted and respected by the public. Sport and exercise psychology separated from related exercise and sport science specialization of motor learning. The field wrestled professional practice issues such as defining training standards, ethics, establishing licensure, developing full time positions for growth in the field. Dorothy Harris advanced the cause of both women and sport psychology by establishing the PSU graduate program in sports psych. Dorothy Harris was the first American and first female member of the International Society of Sport Psychology, the first woman awarded a Fulbright Fellowship in sport psych, and first female president of the North American Society of Sport Psychology and Physical Activity. Dorothy Harris broke ground for future women to follow at a time when few women were professors in the field.

Period 3

Preparation for the future (1939-1965). Franklin Henry at UC Berkeley is largely responsible for the field's scientific development. Dorothy Hazeltine Yates is one of the first women in the USA to both practice sport psychology and conduct research. David Tracy worked with the St. Louis Browns, a pro baseball team, and his work is widely publicized and credited with bringing attention to sport psychology.

Social Facilitation Theory

Psychologists (Zajonc) studied how the presence of an audience affects performance, but their results were inconsistent. Sometimes people performed better in front of an audience, and other times they performed worse. Zajonc saw a pattern of seemingly random results and formulated a theory. When people performed simple tasks or jobs they knew well, having an audience influenced their performance positively. However, when people performed unfamiliar or complex tasks, having an audience harmed performance. Zajonc contended that an audience creates arousal in the performer.

What are the 3 orientations psychologists may view the field?

Psychophysiological - examining the physiological processes of the brain and their influences on physical activity. Social-psychological - Behavior is determined by a complex interaction between the environment (especially social environment) and personal makeup of the athlete or exerciser. Cognitive-behavioral - Emphasize the athlete's or exerciser's thoughts and behaviors and believe that thought is central to determining behavior.

Contemporary Sports Psychology Specializations (3)

Research Teaching Consulting

Science and Art of coaching

Science of coaching focuses on the use of general principles. The art of coaching is recognizing when and how to individualize these general principles.

Reductionistic

Scientific knowledge can sometimes be reductionistic. It is too complex to study all the variables of a situation simultaneously, so they isolate variables that are most critical.

Comparing and contrasting scientifically derived vs professional practice

Scientifically derived: Highly reliable, systematic and controlled, objective and unbiased. Reductionistic, conservative, often slow to evolve, lack of focus on external validility (practicality). Professional Practice: Holistic, innovative, immediate. Less reliable, lack of explanations, greater susceptibility to bias.

Case study

Talking with others around the individual being observed to gain more information about them.

Period 2

The Development of Laboratories and Psychological Testing in Germany, Japan, Russia, USA (1921-1938). Father of American Sport Psychology - Coleman Griffith. Griffith published 25 research articles about sports psychology. Griffith's work became a model for sport and exercise psychologists. Psychologists began to test athletes, assessing reaction times, concentration, personality, and aggression.

Professional Practice knowledge

The knowledge gained through experience. It is guided trial and error learning. Usually more holistic than scientifically derived knowledge, reflecting the interplay of multiple factors. Professionals can use the newly acquired information immediately because they don't need to wait for it to be scientifically verified. Can produce fewer and less precise explanations than science. It is more biased than science

Sport and Exercise Psychology

The scientific study of people and their behaviors in sport and exercise contexts and the practical application of that knowledge. It identifies principles and guidelines that professional can use to help adults and children participate in and benefit from sport and exercise activities.

Systematic Observation

Using visual observation to draw conclusions.

Intuition

Using your instincts to make a decision

Main objectives of sport and exercise psychology? (2)

What are the Psychological factors affecting an individuals performance? How does participation in sport and exercise affect a person's psychological development, health, and well-being?

Shared public experience

When two people compare notes on scouting the same individual.

External validity

Whether the issue has true significance or utility in the real world. If a theory has no external validity, its internal validity doesn't count for much.

What is the one overarching goal among all sport and exercise psychologists?

Working for everyone to obtain maximum participation, peak performance, personal satisfaction, and development through physical activity.