Sport Psychology Lab, Burapha University

Introduction in Sport
Psychology

Dr. Chatkamon Singnoy

Faculty of sport science
Burapha University
Applied Sport Psychology
 Sport Psychology Lab, Burapha University

Today’s Path…

What is Sport Psychology (SP)?

Overview of SP( A brief of history)

WHAT ARE SOME COMMON PERFORMANCE

ENHANCEMENT ISSUES?

Applied Sport Psychology

Sport Psychology Lab, Burapha University

“WHAT IS SPORT PSYCHOLOGY

(SP)?”
● The study of a person's behavior in
sport.
● It is also a specialization within the
brain and physical that seeks to
understand psychological/mental factors
that affect performance in sports,
physical activity, and exercise.
● Moreover, apply these to enhance
individual and team performance.

Applied Sport Psychology

Sport Psychology Lab, Burapha University

WHAT IS SPORT PSYCHOLOGY ?

GOAL
2 main objectives:
 To understand how
psychological factors
affect in individual’s
performance
 To understand how
participation in sport and
exercise affects one’s
psychological
development, health, and
well-being.

Applied Sport Psychology

 Sport Psychology Lab, Burapha University

OVERVIEW of SP( A brief of history…)

 It is not a new field – it has

been an area of scientific
study for approximately 100
years
 Its roots are in physical
education and coaching

Applied Sport Psychology

 Sport Psychology Lab, Burapha University

OVERVIEW of SP( A brief of history…)

 Sport Psychology Prior to 1950

 1898 First experiment (Norman Triplett)
Paced bicycle races result in faster times
than single efforts
social facilitation: the presence of audience
and/or coaches enhances arousal
1898 First Sport Psychology Study
1925 First Laboratory
 Coleman Griffith at University of Illinois
 Research on psychomotor skills, performance,
and personality

Applied Sport Psychology

 Sport Psychology Lab, Burapha University

OVERVIEW of SP( A brief of history…)

 Sport Psychology After 1950
1967 First Annual Meeting of North American Soc. for the
1967
Psych. of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA)
Bruce Ogilvie (�father� of Applied Sport Psychology)
Bruce
 Problem Athletes and How to Handle Them

 begins to consult with teams

Mid-1960s Sport Psychologists split from motor learning

Mid-1960s
1985 USOC take first full-time sport psychologist
1985
1986 First applied journal: The Sport Psychologist
1986

Applied Sport Psychology

Sport Psychology Lab, Burapha University

What do SP Professionals do?

● Teaching (Many teach college;
others teach as part of consultations
and outreach including workshops,
coaching)
● Research (Some professional
conduct research on topics such as
anxiety, injury prevention, exercise
adoption, retirement, coaching
behaviors, athlete stress, recovery,
mental health of athletes)

Applied Sport Psychology

Sport Psychology Lab, Burapha University

What do SP Professionals do?

● Practice (Many ESP professionals are in

private practice. They work counseling
centers, sports medicine, wellness settings
and health clubs.)
● Often there is a “mix” of these activities.
● There is no “typical” sport and exercise
psychologist in this rapidly growing field

Applied Sport Psychology

Sport Psychology Lab, Burapha University

Why would people need the

services of an sport psychology
professional ? optimize performance
 To improve or
to help make performance more
effective
 To help overcome obstacles that
prevent the reaching of potential
 To assist with adopting or maintaining
an exercise program
 To facilitate efficient/healthy
functioning of sport or other teams
(team building, conflict)
Applied Sport Psychology
Sport Psychology Lab, Burapha University

WHAT ARE SOME

COMMON PERFORMANCE
ENHANCEMENT
ISSUES?

Applied Sport Psychology

 Sport Psychology Lab, Burapha University

COMMON PERFORMANCE
ENHANCEMENT ISSUES
● Perform more consistently up to potential
● Set useful training & competition goals
● Prepare mentally and develop routines to better control
thoughts & emotions
● Manage energy (psyching up and down)

Applied Sport Psychology

Sport Psychology Lab, Burapha University

More Issues

● Increase/maintain confidence
● Handle training & competition stress
● Focus, attention, concentration, distraction
● Increase/maintain motivation
● Facilitate team cohesion/communication

Applied Sport Psychology

 Sport Psychology Lab, Burapha University

Main Organizations involved in

Sport and Exercise Psychology:
 Association for the Advancement of
Applied Sport Psychology (AAASP)
 www.aaasponline.org
 American Psychological Association Div. 47
(APA, Div. 47)
 www.psyc.unt.edu/apadiv47
 American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
 www.acsm.org
 The United States Olympic Committee (USOC)
 www.usoc.org

Applied Sport Psychology

 Sport Psychology Lab, Burapha University

Main Organizations involved in Sport

and Exercise Psychology:
 International Society of Sport Psychology
(ISSP)
 www.issponline.org
 North American Society for the Psychology
of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA)
 www.naspspa.org
 The Sport Psychology Academy (SPA)
 www.aahperd.org

Applied Sport Psychology

Sport Psychology Lab, Burapha University

Major Splits in Recent Years within

the Field:

1. Performance
Enhancement / Intervention
2. Social Psychology Emphasis

3. Health and Exercise

Applied Sport Psychology

 Sport Psychology Lab, Burapha University

1. Performance Enhancement /
Intervention:
● Focus on performance
improvements in any
achievement setting
● Be concerned with effects of
interventions on well-being
● Examples:
 Stress management training
with athletes
 Training effectiveness
 Flow experiences in sport

Applied Sport Psychology

Sport Psychology Lab, Burapha University

2. Social Psychology Emphasis

● Uses theory / research to focus on group
processes in sport & exercise settings
● Social factors are examined as they relate to
athletes, coach, team, and spectators
● Examples of special interests:
 Achievement motivation
 Moral development through sport
 Peer relationships in physical activity and sport
 Youth sports
 Social Anxiety in Sport and Exercise Settings

Applied Sport Psychology

 Sport Psychology Lab, Burapha University

3. Health and Exercise:

● Focuses on role of psych. Factors in
exercise; as they pertain to resistance to
disease development & remediation, coping
with stress, and health promotion
● Primary interest is link between mental and
physical health.
● Examples of special interest areas:
 emotion focused coping and health
 Hardiness and disease risk
 Exercise and Psychoneuroimmunology
 Psychological benefits of exercise

Applied Sport Psychology

Sport Psychology Lab, Burapha University

Topic for class discuss

1. Why was the symbol of psychology a fork-

like?
2. Has it anything to do with its history?
3. Read Sport Psychology – Past, Present and
Future: The Perceptions of Swedish Sport
Psychology Students in lesson 2
Applied Sport Psychology