Sport Psychology, Sport Sociology and Health Psychology

Sports Setting

Formal - Baseball field, basketball court, golf course, tennis court Informal - Jogging path, sports bar, pick up game, park, beach

What do sports sociologists study?

1. Aggression in sports 2. Violence in sports 3. Gender issues 4. Diversity in sports 5. Equality in sports 6. Participation trends

Areas of Study in Sports Psychology

1. Improve athlete's performance 2. Counseling-deal with personal issues 3. Coping with addiction 4. Motivation/Burnout-signs, symptoms, recovery 5. Team relationships-understanding how players affect one another 6. Personality characteristics 7. Injury-comeback, dealing with injuries

Exercise Psychology/Dependence

A condition when dependence on exercise is so extreme that it impedes an individual's ability to function on a daily basis. This occurs when both the frequency and duration of the exercise routine becomes so extreme that an individual cannot function without it. In the same extreme as being addicted to drugs, alcohol or food

Health Psychology (2 Target Groups)

Athlete - try to promote mental health benefits as they already understand the physical benefits General Public - help them understand that even a moderate amount of physical exercise will benefit them mentally

Sport Sociology

Concerned with social behavior and the organization of groups in a sport setting - focus on the group and how the group is organized. May change or limit individual's behavior in sport setting - Looks at how the group behaves and functions - Sports as integral part of society & culture - Sports "culture" as a mirror/predictor of societal trends

Health Psychology

Focuses on the mental health benefits of sports participation - promotes the emotional and psych-social well being that is a direct result of an active lifestyle - Mental Health Benefits: Stress reduction, mental wellness, higher self esteem, improved self image, self concept/worth

External Factors

How are they affected by the crowd, coaches, family, significant others?

Sport Sociology Research Questions

Social Roles - how is the group socially organized and how does this affect the individual's behavior? Relationships - how does the group interact with one another? - Coach/Athlete - Athlete/Athlete - Opponent/Athlete Past Experiences - values, past history, foundation, etc may affect how someone acts, relates in the group setting

Sport Psychology

The study of human behavior in a sport setting - Interested in both the spectator and athlete - Determines psycho-social factors that influence people and how they behave in a sport setting - Looks at the psychological factors that affect an individual, both internal and external

Internal Factors

What is going on in the athlete's life? - Stress, pressure, personal issues