SPORT PSYCHOLOGY
PSY 121 – Term 2, Fall 2012
Instructor
Dr. Robert Swoap
Office: 103 Jensen
email: bswoap@warren-wilson.edu Phone: 771-3706
homepage: www.warren-wilson.edu/~bswoap
Office Hours:
Required Texts
 In Pursuit of Excellence (2007, 4th ed.) by Terry Orlick
Additionally, there are a few readings that will be placed on reserve in the library.
Course Objectives
This course examines theoretical, clinical, and applied aspects of sport psychology.
It is designed to introduce you to the field of sport psychology by providing a broad overview of the
major topics in the area. The primary course objective is to facilitate your understanding of how
psychological factors influence involvement and performance in sport settings, and how participation
in sports affects individuals and groups. No previous coursework in psychology is assumed.
Examinations, Assignments and Grades
(1) Examinations: Exams will draw from the assigned readings and from lectures and
classroom activities. There will be two exams which will include multiple-choice, short answer, and
essay questions. Students who feel that they may need academic accommodations for a physical or
learning disability should see me immediately so that appropriate arrangements can be made well in
advance. Missing an exam is strongly discouraged. However, a student with a legitimate excuse
(e.g., illness verified by a physician) can take a make-up exam. If you know in advance that you will
be unable to take the exam on the scheduled date, you must advise me of this as far in advance as
possible so that we can make the appropriate arrangements.
(2) Paper: You will write a formal book review of a sports-related / sport psychology book.
This will be a professional book review for a professional audience (e.g., sport psychologists).
Details will be provided early in the term. This book review will be worth 100 points. Late papers
lose 10 points per day (5 points if turned in on the due date, but after the start of class that day).
(3) Class participation: The quality of our classes depends on your reading and your active
participation in class. My expectation is that you will be at all of the class meetings, unless you have
an unforeseeable emergency/illness or have cleared it with me ahead of time. Positive class
participation involves arriving on time, being prepared for discussions, and being willing to
share your thoughts about the material, exercises, speakers, etc..
Grades
It is possible to earn a total of 350 points (200 from the exams, 100 from the paper, 50 from
participation). Your total points earned will be divided by 350 giving you a specific percentage.
Letter grades then will be assigned based on the percentage using the plus/minus letter grading
scheme as follows:
93-100%
90- 92%
87- 89%
83- 86%
A
AB+
B
80-82%
77-79%
73-76%
70-72%
BC+
C
C-
67-69%
63-66%
0- 62% F
D+
D
A detailed description of College policies and procedures regarding academic honesty and integrity
can be found in the WWC Student Handbook. Please read this to understand what constitutes
cheating and plagiarism. If you have any questions, please ask me. The penalties for cheating in this
class range from receiving no credit for the assignment/test to failure of the course. Also, any such
action will be reported to the Vice-President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College
If you have a disability and might require special accommodations at any time in this course, it is
your responsibility to inform me during the first week of classes. Documentation of your learning
disability needs to be on file with the Student Life office. (Requirements for disability documentation
can be found on the Warren Wilson Website, under Student Life.)
Class Schedule (SP = “Sport Psychology”; IPE = “In Pursuit of Excellence”)
TOPIC
READINGS
Introduction / book assignment
Understanding sport psychology
IPE Ch. 1
**Bring research question**
F 9/8
“The seven habits of highly
effective athletes,” and
Psychological skills training
Mental toughness, Swoap, 2002 (handout)
Imagery
SP Ch. 11
IPE Chs. 9 & 14
Attention, concentration, and flow
Guest: Anne Riddle Lundblad
SP Ch. 7 (only pp. 169-190)
IPE Chs. 11 & 16
IPE Ch. 3
Class Schedule (SP = “Sport Psychology”; IPE = “In Pursuit of Excellence”)
TOPIC
READINGS
T 9/12
Anxiety, arousal, and stress
SP Ch. 7 (only the first section on the
neurophysiology of arousal, pp. 163-169)
SP Ch. 8
Th 9/14
Anxiety management &
other coping strategies
SP Ch. 9
IPE Chs. 10 & 13
T 9/19
Setting goals
SP Ch. 10
IPE Chs. 4 & 5
Th 9/21
Test I
F 9/22
Injuries
T 9/26
Aggression and violence
Th 9/28
Burnout
SP Ch. 18
IPE Ch. 19
SP Ch. 13
SP Ch. 17
IPE Ch. 20
You will get the rest of the course schedule soon. I am waiting to hear back from a key speaker for our class.
Brian Biro is a friend of mine who is a highly sought-after seminar leader around the country. I need to
confirm his visit with us when his fall speaking schedule is set.
One important date is when your book review is due: Tuesday 10/10 at the beginning of class.
October to be determined (don’t print this page out – wait for confirmation of Biro if possible)
T 10/3
Drug use and abuse
SP Ch. 19
Th 10/5
Children
(Move this to whenever Biro Speaks)
Sport psychology issues in youth soccer
(Swoap, 1996, on reserve)
F 10/6
Eating Disorders
SP Ch. 16 (only pp. 415-422)
Eating disorders and weight management
(Swoap & Murphy, 1995, on reserve)
T 10/10
Audience effects / Sports fans
SP Ch. 14
**BOOK REVIEW DUE**
Th 10/12
Team cohesion
SP Ch. 15
IPE Chs. 17 & 18
T 10/17
Test II
Th 10/19
Discussion of book reviews
F 10/20
Course review / evaluations