Overview

This unit will introduce fundamental principles involved in research and practice within Sport, Exercise Psychology. The primary objective is to facilitate the understanding of how psychological factors influence involvement and performance in sport, exercise and physical activity settings. The unit will explore such topics as personality, identity, competition and cooperation, motivation, and group cohesion and dynamics in sport, exercise and physical activity.

Requisites

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
03-March-2025
01-June-2025
Last self-enrolment date
16-March-2025
Census date
31-March-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
24-April-2025
Results released date
08-July-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Critically evaluate psychology theory and research findings relevant to sport, exercise and physical activity.
  • Explain key concepts and theories from a number of content areas including personality, identity, motivation, anxiety/arousal, community engagement, groups and teams as they apply to sport, exercise and physical activity.
  • Apply theoretical perspectives from sport and exercise psychology to real world contexts.
  • Critique research methodologies used within sport and exercise psychology, and develop an awareness of professional and research ethics in sport, exercise and physical activity settings.
  • Integrate information from various sources concerning topics and problems related to the psychology of sport, exercise and physical activity, and communicate the results of these investigations in a logical and clear manner to different audiences.
  • Demonstrate an increased understanding of your own behaviour, mental processes and experiences and the behaviour of others in the context of sport, exercise and physical activity.

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-campus
Lecture		1.00 12 weeks 12
On-campus
Class		2.00 12 weeks 24
Specified Activities
Various		5.00 12 weeks 60
Unspecified Activities
Various		4.50 12 weeks 54
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Assignment 1Individual 30% 1,2,3,4,5 
Assignment 2Individual 30% 3,4,6 
Assignment 3Individual 40% 1,2,3,4 

Content

  • History, applications, methods and ethical issues in sport, exercise and physical activity
  • Personality and identity
  • Motivation, goal setting, feedback and reinforcement
  • Stress, arousal, anxiety and aggression
  • Imagery
  • Competition, cooperation, leadership and group processes
  • Community engagement and involvement
  • Psychological health and wellbeing

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.