Department of Kinesiology

Psychology of Movement

Basic Concepts and Applications

A. Heading in University Abbreviation "Kines"

Number 321

Title: Psychology of Movement Behavior

Abbreviation title PSY MOV BEH

Credits, Class periods 3:3:0

Description Basic concepts and application of psychological knowledge for organized sport, physical activity and athletic training.

Prerequisites: None

B. Course outline:

Part 1. Areas of sport psychology expertise: What do sport psychologists do?

• Psychology of coaching/teaching
• Psychological aspects of performance enhancement
• Injury prevention and rehabilitation
• Research areas of sport psychology

Part 2. Research methods in sport psychoogy

• Initial Interview, types of interview, non-verbal skills
• Naturalistic Observarion, formats, reliability and validity
• Psychological Test, personality assessment, theories

Part 3. Psychology of motor skill acquisition

• Sources of information to support skill acquisition
• Defining skill, performance, motor learning
• Knowledge of results and coaching strategies, athletes "coachability"
• Stages of skill acquisition
• Fundamental motor skills

Part 4. Mental aspects of motor skill

• Nature of stress, causes and adjustment strategies in sport setting
• Psychological characteristics of peak performance
• Goal-setting for peak performance
• Stress-performance relationships
• Relaxation/energizing techniques
• Cognitive techniques
• Stress coping strategies for athletes

Part 5. Injury and psychological rehabilitation of athletes

• Psychological causes of injury
• Athletes' reactions to injury
• Psychological rehabilitation strategies
• Behavioral therapy for injured athletes

Course Requirements

• Mid-term Examination - 30% of the final grade
• Final Examination - 40% of the final grade
• Quizzes, individual and group assignments - 30% of the final grade