Module: Sport Psychology

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Sport Psychology
Module Code	PSY1089 (ITS: SS204)
Faculty	Health & Human Performance	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module serves to introduce the student to the role of psychology in optimising performance in sport. Specifically, applied psychological issues faced by sports performers will be explored in conjunction with specific performance enhancement techniques. After undertaking this module, students should have further developed their understanding of relevant theoretical perspectives and methods necessary to assess and manage selected psychological challenges within a sport setting.

Learning Outcomes

1. Summarise key psychological theories and models from the area of sport psychology.
2. Enhance understanding of the psychological techniques which can be employed to improve performance
3. Demonstrate an understanding of how psychological theory can be applied with various athlete populations

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Laboratory	12	No Description
Independent Study	89	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	11501	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Anna Donnla O'Hagan	Module Teacher	Hannah Goss, Sarahjane Cullen, Shane Noonan

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Short Answer Questions	A 12-question short answer quiz (i.e., 25 minutes) will take place during the module. The aim of this quiz is to assess students’ knowledge and understanding of basic concepts. The quiz will be on topics covered in the preceding four classes. There will be no negative marking associated with the quiz. Students will be given their results via Loop and an opportunity to ask for individual feedback one week following the quiz.	15%	Week 5
Assignment	In this assignment, students will be required to write a 1,500-word assignment (excluding references) discussing what strategies could be employed to enhance an athlete’s performance. This assignment must be submitted online via Loop. Further details will be provided during class. Students will be provided with their results and individualised written feedback via Loop two weeks following submission.	50%	Week 10
Group presentation	This assessment is designed to assess students’ understanding of advanced concepts associated with the psychology of sport and their ability to apply these ideas to competitive sport contexts. Further details will be provided during class. Students will be provided with their group result and written group feedback via Loop one week following submission.	35%	Week 11

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Self-Confidence in Sport

Anxiety & Arousal in Sport

Concentration

Motivation

Professionalisation & Psychological Assessment

Imagery

Self-Talk

Pre-Performance Routines

Team Cohesion

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Collins, D. J. & Cruickshank, A.: 2022, Sport Psychology Essentials, Human Kinetics, USA,
Moran, A. P., & Toner, J.: 2017, Sport Psychology. A Critical Introduction, 3rd, Routledge, London,
Weinberg, R. S., & Gould, D.: 2015, Foundations of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 6th, Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL,
Kremer, J. & Moran, A. P.: 2008, Pure Sport: Practical Sport Psychology, Routledge,
Moran, A. P.: 2004, Sport and Exercise Psychology. A Critical Introduction, Routledge,

Articles:

Beauchamp, M. R., McEwan, D., & Waldhauser, K. J.: 2017, Team building: conceptual, methodological, and applied considerations, Current Opinion in Psychology, 16, 0
2017: Self-talk effectiveness and attention, Current Opinion in Psychology, 16, 0, 1
"Choking in sport: a review.": International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 3(1), 0, 1, Paradis, K. F. & L. J. Martin
Journal of Sport Psychology in Action: 3(3), 0, 1, Sharp, L. A. & Hodge, K., 2014
12(2): 0, 1, Weston, N., Greenlees, I., & Thelwell, R., 2013, A review of Butler and Hardy's (1992) performance profiling procedure within sport
0: 1, Wikman, J. M., Stelter, R., Melzer, M., Hauge M. L. T. & Elbe, A. M., 2014, Effects of goal setting on fear of failure in young elite athletes, International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 12(3),

Other Resources

website: British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences, website, http://www.bases.org.uk
website: Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology, website, http://www.aaasponline.org
website: North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Phsycial Activity, website, http://www.naspspa.org
website: European Federation of Sport Psychology, website, http://www.psychology.lu.se/FEPSAC