The book is designed to allow readers to study issues in isolation or as part of a course or a module. The five main parts are Relationships in Sport, Coach Leadership and Group Dynamics, Motivational Climate, Key Social and Cognitive Processes in Sport, and The Athlete in the Wider Sport Environment. Each chapter is cross-referenced and provides a clear description of the topic and a concise theoretical overview along with a discussion of existing research. The chapters also introduce new research ideas, suggest practical research applications, and conclude with summaries and questions to help instructors engage the class in discussion and to help students follow the key points."--Publisher's website.
This book is written from the perspective of a social psychologist. As a conse quence, the topics covered in the upcoming chapters were chosen from among those traditionally of interest to the discipline of social psychology. A criterion for inclusion was the topic's usefulness in providing insights and/or understand ing ofthe social processes at work in sports settings. To this end, I have drawn ex tensively from mainstream journals in social psychology (e. g. , Journal of Per sonality and Social Psychology), and grounded the discussion of topics and issues on the methodologically sound studies/experiments they generally provide. There is also an equally strong interdisciplinary emphasis that features research from physical education, sociology, management science, and education. I have made a further attempt, not as successful as I would have liked, to incorporate a substan tial amount of the fine sports research that has been conducted overseas, particu larly in Europe and Australia. I am hopeful that in bringing together the works of international scholars from a variety of disciplines a clearer and balanced outline of this field will take shape. And now a word about the audience for this text and how to get the most from its pages. I would suggest that the reader have taken a course in social psychology following an introductory-level course. An introductory course in research methodology would also be helpful.
This new textbook examines the role that social psychology has in the explanation of exercise and sport behaviour. It devotes considerable attention to key social psychological issues within the two disciplines; health-related exercise behaviour and the behaviour of competitive sport participants and the spectators of elite sport. Rather than presenting a broad, superficial overview of diverse areas in exercise and sport, the book focuses on a range of selected topics and provides a comprehensive, in-depth and analytical coverage using social psychology as a framework. It thoroughly examines how social psychological research and intervention has contributed to the understanding of key topics in exercise and sport behaviour including: The social psychology of exercise and health Social cognitive theories of exercise behaviour Exercise and the physical self Eating disorders in exercise and sport Emotion and mood in athletes Social psychology and motivation in sport Group processes in sport Aggression and crowd violence The Social Psychology of Exercise and Sport is key reading for undergraduate and postgraduate students on social or sport psychology courses and on health-related or sports science courses. Illustrated throughout with practical guidelines for researchers and practitioners, it is also a valuable resource for professionals interested in understanding and changing the behaviour of exercise participants and athletes.
"This edited textbook offers a global perspective on research, practice, and future directions in social psychology in sport. Topics include relationships, communication, leadership, motivation, and morality. Readers gain insight into the interactions and dynamics that affect sport performance and the sport experience for youth and adult athletes and coaches"--
Sports, and the fans that follow them, are everywhere. Sport Fans: The Psychology and Social Impact of Fandom examines the affective, behavioral, and cognitive reactions of fans to better comprehend how sport impacts individual fans and society as a whole. Using up-to-date research and theory from multiple disciplines including psychology, sociology, marketing, history, and religious studies, this textbook provides a deeper understanding of topics such as: the pervasiveness of sport fandom in society common demographic and personality characteristics of fans how fandom can provide a sense of belonging, of uniqueness, and of meaning in life the process of becoming a sport fan sport fan consumption and the future of sport and the fan experience. The text also provides a detailed investigation of the darker side of sport fandom, including fan aggression, as well as a critical look at the positive value of fandom for individuals and society. Sport Fans expertly combines a rigorous level of empirical research and theory in an engaging, accessible format, making this text the essential resource on sport fan behavior.
"The text guides readers through these situations: -Understanding the dynamics of a variety of issues, including alcohol abuse and violence, referral processes, erotic transference and countertransference, and communication problems between coaches and athletes; -Working with diverse clients, including athletes of color, gay and lesbian athletes, and disabled athletes; -Presenting to and working with entire teams; -Plumbing the depths of several complex topics, including eating disorders and injury and identity issues. In addition to covering some of these complex and deeply personal topics, the text details the fundamental issues of applied sport psychology, including developing the consultant-client relationship and connecting with teams, coaches, and individuals. In dealing with relationships a sport psychologist would typically face, Sport Psychology in Practice addresses serious ethical and philosophical issues and asks more general questions about the field and how to work with clients. Sport Psychology in Practice contains insights from an elite list of contributors who explain, using real-life examples, how they successfully and ethically "do" sport psychology. Methods that have worked for the most respected practitioners in the field are presented with an informal, engaging approach and rely substantially on dialogue and actual experiences."--
Can a better understanding of group dynamics raise individual and team athletic performance or improve the outcomes of exercise interventions? Much human behaviour in sport and exercise settings is embedded within groups where individuals’ cognitions, emotions, and behaviours influence and are influenced by other group members. Group Dynamics in Exercise and Sports Psychology: Contemporary Themes explores the unique psychological dynamics that emerge in sport and exercise groups. It provides a clear and thorough guide to contemporary theory and research. Recommendations are also presented to inform applied psychology ‘best practice’. Drawing together the expertise of international specialists from sports and exercise psychology, the text covers core themes as well as emerging issues in group dynamics. The text is organised into four sections: Part 1: The Self in Groups Part 2: Leadership in Groups Part 3: Group Environment Part 4: Motivation in Groups Group Dynamics in Exercise and Sports Psychology: Contemporary Themes will be of interest to psychology, kinesiology, sport and exercise science students and researchers, as well as to consultants and coaches.
Written from a psychologist's perspective, this text offers a general overview of the application of psychology to sport settings by covering a wide spectrum of sport psychology subject matter.
How should athletes prepare for the pressures of a large crowd? How do you manage conflict and disunity in a team? How can you encourage individuals to do more exercise? Covering a broad range of areas from elite sport to public health programmes, The Social Psychology of Sport and Exercise examines human behaviour and how we can change it. The authors combine innovative research with practical examples and case studies, masterfully explaining the theory and applying it to real-life problems. From coaching world-class athletes to running exercise referral schemes, this book offers unrivalled advice and guidance. The Social Psychology of Sport and Exercise: - Analyses contemporary research from both sport and exercise psychology - Investigates the issues and challenges that practitioners face in settings ranging from the World Cup to the leisure centre - Suggests useful strategies to help you put the theory into practice This highly readable textbook is perfect for undergraduate and postgraduate students studying sport and exercise psychology, while its practical nature means that it will also be of interest to professionals working in the field.
"The first book of its kind, the Handbook of Research on Sport Psychology contains an extensive array of chapters on theories, research, and applications authored by a host of international experts." "This valuable resource not only covers what is presently known in sport psychology, but extends to the frontiers of investigation, where conclusions have yet to be drawn. The authors emphasize a comprehensive treatment of each research area cited and link findings and methods throughout the Handbook's entire research collection." "Ultimately, this book provides its readers with useful theoretical explanations for current findings in sport psychology and guides them to new areas of research activity." "The Handbook's forty-four chapters begin with a general orientation on research in sport psychology. The book goes on to cover a variety of specialized areas of research and influence in the field. The second section deals with assessment of skill acquisition, followed by a section on psychological characteristics and high-level performance. Another section deals with social-cognitive dimensions of motivation, leading to a discussion of research on popular psychological techniques that may enhance athletic performance." "Social factors such as socialization, moral psychology, and the impact of spectators on athletic performance are addressed, followed by a specific consideration of group structure, leadership, and group psychology. Also assessed are the connections between sport and life-span development, including age, gender, and enhancement of the quality of life. The coverage of specific research topics concludes with discussions on exercise and health psychology." "The Handbook goes on to explore research methodology in a stimulating section on psychometrics. Analyses of research paradigms and protocols typically used in sport psychology are provided, as well as suggestions on how to improve current research methods. The final section of the book addresses moral and professional-ethical issues in sport psychology and how they are being resolved today. Extensive bibliographies are appended to chapters throughout the book." "The Handbook of Research on Sport Psychology is an invaluable resource for every college and university library, sport psychologist, athlete, and coach. Sport psychology professors should also seriously consider the adoption of this text for their graduate classes and as a sourcebook for research in the field."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved
