Area of Special Interest
Sport Psychology
"If you don't have confidence, you'll always find a way not to win."
-Carl Lewis
-Carl Lewis
Why Sport Psychology?
I entered into the field of psychology due to the fascination I have about why people think or behave in a certain way. Once I completed my undergraduate degree I was left thirsting for more knowledge, and this is what led me to pursuing a master’s degree. Coupled with the fact that participating in sports has always been a huge aspect in my life, I have always wanted to tie these two passions together. This is where sport psychology comes into play; by balancing this academic interest with my passion for athletics I am able to connect these two interests of mine.
What is Sport Psychology?
Sport Psychology is a specialization area within the field of psychology that seeks to understand psychological factors that affect performance in sports, physical activity, and exercise. Within the applied domain, practitioners within this field strive to apply mental fitness concepts to their work with clients in order to enhance individual and team performance. Aside from the competencies that I have already gone over in my e-portfolio, specific competencies that a sport psychologist will have relate to his/her additional expertise in the following areas:
1. Performance enhancement through the use of psychological skills training
2. Issues that are specific to the psychological well-being of athletes
3. Working with the organizations and systems that are present in sport settings
4. Social and developmental factors that influence sport participation
I entered into the field of psychology due to the fascination I have about why people think or behave in a certain way. Once I completed my undergraduate degree I was left thirsting for more knowledge, and this is what led me to pursuing a master’s degree. Coupled with the fact that participating in sports has always been a huge aspect in my life, I have always wanted to tie these two passions together. This is where sport psychology comes into play; by balancing this academic interest with my passion for athletics I am able to connect these two interests of mine.
What is Sport Psychology?
Sport Psychology is a specialization area within the field of psychology that seeks to understand psychological factors that affect performance in sports, physical activity, and exercise. Within the applied domain, practitioners within this field strive to apply mental fitness concepts to their work with clients in order to enhance individual and team performance. Aside from the competencies that I have already gone over in my e-portfolio, specific competencies that a sport psychologist will have relate to his/her additional expertise in the following areas:
1. Performance enhancement through the use of psychological skills training
2. Issues that are specific to the psychological well-being of athletes
3. Working with the organizations and systems that are present in sport settings
4. Social and developmental factors that influence sport participation
Mental Fitness Concepts
· Motivation & Goal-setting
· Activation & Stress Management
· Imagery & Self Talk
· Perspective
· Emotional Regulation
· Identity and Self Awareness
· Performance Planning
· Confidence Building
· Motivation & Goal-setting
· Activation & Stress Management
· Imagery & Self Talk
· Perspective
· Emotional Regulation
· Identity and Self Awareness
· Performance Planning
· Confidence Building
Links to Professional Associations
Canadian Sport Psychology Association (CSPA)
www.en.cspa-acps.ca
Association of Applied Sport Psychology (AASP)
www.appliedsportpsych.org
International Society of Sport Psychology (ISSP)
www.issponline.org
Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology (AAASP)
www.aaasponline.org
Canadian Society for Psychomotor Learning and Sport Psychology (SCAPPS)
www.scapps.org
North American Society for Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA)
www.naspspa.org
www.en.cspa-acps.ca
Association of Applied Sport Psychology (AASP)
www.appliedsportpsych.org
International Society of Sport Psychology (ISSP)
www.issponline.org
Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology (AAASP)
www.aaasponline.org
Canadian Society for Psychomotor Learning and Sport Psychology (SCAPPS)
www.scapps.org
North American Society for Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA)
www.naspspa.org
References
Van Raalte, J. L. & Brewer, B. W. (2002). Exploring Sport and Exercise Psychology, Washington, DC; American Psychological Association.
Van Raalte, J. L. & Brewer, B. W. (2002). Exploring Sport and Exercise Psychology, Washington, DC; American Psychological Association.