WILLIAM RAINEY HARPER COLLEGE
WELLNESS AND HUMAN PERFORMANCE DIVISION
GENERAL COURSE OUTLINE
Course Prefix Course Number
KIN

223
Course Title
SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY
Contact Hours
1. 3 Lecture/Demonstration
2. Lab/Studio
3. 3 Credit Hours
Course Description
Provides an overview of sport and exercise psychology by focusing on human behavior
in certain types of situations in sport and exercise settings. Examines what motivates
people, how they regulate their thoughts, feelings and emotions and how their behaviors
can become more effective. Also teaches students how to apply these psychological
concepts. (formerly PED 272)

Topical Outline
I.
Definition of Sports Psychology
A. Terminology
B. Role of the Sports Psychologist
II.
Participants in Sports
A. Personality and Sport
B. Motivation
C. Arousal, Stress and Anxiety
III.
Sport and Exercise Environments
A. Competition and Cooperation
B. Feedback, Reinforcement and Intrinsic Motivation
IV.
Group Processes
A. Group and Team Dynamics
B. Group Cohesion
C. Leadership
D. Communication
V.
Improving Performance
A. Introduction to Psychological Skills Training
B. Arousal Regulation
C. Imagery
D. Self-Confidence
E. Goal Setting
F. Concentration
VI.
Enhancing Health and Well-Being
A. Exercise and Psychological Well-Being
B. Exercise Behavior and Adherence
C. Athletic Injuries and Psychology
D. Addictive and Unhealthy Behaviors.
E. Burnout and Over training
VII.

Facilitating Psychological Growth and Development
A. Children and Sport Psychology
B. Aggression in Sport
C. Character Development and Good Sportsmanship
Method of Presentation
1. Lecture
2. Class Discussion
3. Other:
a. Group participation
b. Audio-visual aids

Student Outcomes (The student should)
0. define Sports Psychology and explain the role of the Sports Psychologist.
1. explain arousal, stress and anxiety as it relates to performance.
2. explain the difference between competition and cooperation.
3. discuss the importance of feedback, reinforcement and intrinsic motivation.
4. discuss group and team dynamics, group cohesion, leadership and the
importance of communication.
5. discuss a variety of psychological skills training.
6. explain exercise behavior.
7. explain the different athletic injuries which occur in sport.
8. explain addictive and unhealthy behaviors.
9. discuss burn out and over training in sport participation.
10. discuss the issues of children and sports psychology.
11. discuss the issue of aggression in sport and the development of character
development.

Method of Evaluation
. Typical classroom assessment techniques
 X Projects
 X Class participation
 X Objective tests
 Studio/Lab performance
 X Final exam
 Portfolios
 X Essays/Term papers
 Oral examination
 Research report
A. Course content learning outcomes
 Quizzes
 Group participation
 Case study assignments
 X Homework
 X Midterm Exam
 X Exams
B. Additional assessment information (optional).


1. Attendance
Textbook
Required
0. Weinberg, Robert S. and Gould, Daniel. Foundation of Sports and Exercise
Psychology. 5th Edition. Human Kinetics, 2011
g. Supplementary materials
None
h. Software
None
Prepared by: Pardess Mitchell
Fall 2013
CID: 3743