The course will give a basic understanding of the psychological factors and processes that affect the individual engaged in sports activities and of how this theoretical and practical knowledge can be applied in practical sports situations.

The course consists of two parts:

Part 1 Group dynamics in sports 7,5 credits

Part 2 Sports psychology at the individual the level 7,5 credits

The focus in the first part of the course is on psychological aspects of groups and teams, including group psychology and its practical aspects, such as team building. Communication is seen as an essential tool for group formation, achievement and development, and the ways in which this tool can be used are examined. Motivation and psychological perspectives relating to sport and exercise activities is discussed and examined.

The second part of the course continues with a consideration of sports psychology applied to the individual. The concepts of stress and effort are introduced, and the ways in which these can be managed in the sports context are discussed. The importance of socialising and creating proficient psychological conditions in children’s and youth sports is emphasised. Psychological skills training and the mental requirements for achievement are examined.

After completing the course the student will be able to:

• explain group mechanisms and group psychology in a sports context

• reflect upon motivational psychology as applied to sports activities

• value various aspects of communication as a tool in sports

• formulate relevant constructs of exercise psychology

After completing the course the student will be able to:

• reflect upon various strategies of leadership in a sports context

• describe the basic concepts of arousal and stress in sports and exercise

• explain the psychological processes that have a special relevance to children’s

sports activities

• evaluate various aspects of psychological skills training

Lectures, group activities, seminars, practical exercises.

Assessment of part 1 will include one individual home assignment, and one project report, based on the learning outcomes.

Assessment of part 2 will include one individual home assignment, and one project report, based on the learning outcomes.

Carron, Albert, V. (2011). Group Dynamics in Sport (418pp). 4th. Ed. Fitness Information Technology.

Henriksen, Kristoffer., Hansen, Jakob, & Hvid Larsen, Carsten (2019). Mindfulness and acceptance in sport. Routledge (252s.).

Weinberg, Robert & Gould, Daniel (2019). Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology. 7th Ed.(680 pp.) Human Kinetics Publishers.

Study material and articles equivalent to about 100 pages will also be required reading.

Perspectives of Malmö University; Gender, Environment, Migration and Ethnicity

The perspectives of gender, environment, migration and ethnicity are looked upon when the student identifies and investigates relations between different actors in sport in relationship to different environments.

The students will be able to give feedback through various kinds of evaluation tools that will be used during the course. This will encourage individuals to submit their thoughts on the contents of the course and the way it is conducted. The final element of the course will be a written evaluation, starting from the purpose of the course and the stated learning outcomes. These evaluations will be used as the basis for a final oral evaluation involving the students and the teacher responsible for the course.