Course Catalogue

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This course aims to develop advanced understanding of how psychological theory and empirical research can be applied to explain and address complex behavioural challenges within sporting environments. Students will reflect on how different fields of psychology can be applied to help us understand individual and group behaviour within sporting contexts, as well as critically analyse specific real-world issues related to sport from a psychological perspective.

Weekly two-hour lectures

Successful completion of level 3H psychology single honours

None

Written Report (70%)

The written report will assess ILOs 1-4. Students will work collaboratively to identify an applied problem and explore relevant literature and intervention ideas. Students will then individually submit a written report. The report requires students to critically analyse complex behavioural challenges using psychological theory (ILO 1), compare and contrast competing theoretical perspectives (ILO 2), and critically appraise and synthesise applied empirical research (ILO 3). Students must also design and justify an innovative, theoretically grounded and evidence-informed psychological intervention, demonstrating awareness of feasibility and ethical considerations (ILO 4).

Group Intervention Briefing (30%)

The briefing will mainly assess ILO 5, and to a lesser extent ILO 4. Working collaboratively, students will deliver a briefing outlining their proposed intervention to a defined non-academic stakeholder audience. Briefing format may include (but is not limited to) recorded/live presentations, posters or similar. All formats will also include a Q&A opportunity. This component will assess students' ability to adapt and communicate complex psychological analyses and intervention proposals clearly and professionally (ILO 5), and to demonstrate applied understanding of how their intervention would work in practice (ILO 4). The presentation is assessed on clarity, audience awareness, professional group delivery, and the ability to explain and defend the proposal in applied terms. 

This course will encourage students to apply their knowledge of psychological theories and research to provide novel insights into sports related behaviours including amateur development, expertise, health interventions, leadership qualities, and spectator effects on athlete performance. Students will be provided with an opportunity to exercise their critical thinking and communication skills to translate complex psychological research into effective, clear, evidence-led guidance for non-scientific stake holders including sports practitioners, athletes, and the public.  

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Critically analyse the psychological factors contributing to common behavioural challenges faced by individuals and groups within sporting environments.

■ Compare and contrast different psychological theories to understand behaviour in different sporting environments.

■ Critically appraise and synthesise applied empirical research in sports psychology, recognising methodological strengths, limitations, and translational constraints.

■ Design psychologically informed innovative interventions grounded in theory and evidence, demonstrating an awareness of feasibility, ethical considerations, and contextual factors.

■ Communicate psychologically informed analyses and intervention proposals clearly and professionally to non-academic stakeholders.