UNIT 9

Psychology In Sports

Table of Content

 Psychology In Sports

 Definition & Importance of Psychology in Physical Education & Sports;

 Growth & Development

 Developmental Characteristics At Different Stages of Growth

 Adolescent Problems & Their Management

 Management of Adolescence Problems

 Team Cohesion and Sports

 Introduction to Psychological Attributes: Attention, Resilience, Mental Toughness

Definition & Importance of Psychology in Physical Education & Sports;

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior of a sportsperson. It surrounds environmental
factors that affect how people think, act, and feel. It also includes the study of conscious and unconscious
situations.

Sports psychology: It is the branch of applied psychology that deals with sports performance and behavior of a
player during training and competition.

It helps to modify a sportsperson according to the needs of the situation and optimize the benefits for better
performance and excellence

Importance

 Psychology helps to improve the performance and personality of players by scientifically modifying
their behavior.

 Proper motivation and feedback enhance the performance of the player.

 It helps to control and check the declining performance

 It helps to understand the learning rate, learning curve, development patterns, etc

 It develops proper behavior setup during the competition

 It helps the player deal with spectators and the crowd

 It helps to overcome the stress and tension of players It helps to understand the needs of a sportsperson

 It helps coaches make a better selection of players

 It improves the coaching, training and teaching skills for effective learning
 Growth & Development

Growth

The term growth implies an increase in the size, height, length and weight of an individual. It is used in purely
physical terms which implies quantitative changes, like the growth of arms, brain, Muscles, or the body in
general.

Development: Development implies qualitative changes. It is changing in character leading to maturity of

improvement in functioning. For example, arms grow large but also develop by undergoing certain changes that
equip them for better work.

Differences Between Growth And Development

Growth Development

Growth implies changes in the size, length, height and Development implies overall changes in shape or form resulting in
weight of an individual. improved working or functioning.

Growth indicates the changes in the quantity Development indicates the changes in quality

Development is a wider term, which refers to overall changes in the

Growth is one of the aspects of the development process
individual

Growth does not continue throughout life Development is a continuous process

Development describes the changes in the individual as a whole and does

The development indicates the changes in quality
not list changes in parts

Growth may or may not bring development Development is possible without growth

Growth is cellular and can be measured accurately Development is functional or organizational

Developmental Characteristics At Different Stages of Growth

Infancy Stage (Birth to 3 years)

During this stage, growth and development occur progressively. The child gains considerable weight and
height. Cognitive development starts as the child tries to balance and to gain control over big muscles.

Childhood Stages ( 3 to 12 years)

Early Childhood Stage (3 to 6 years)

In this stage, the growth is slower. The child’s neuromuscular development and intellectual development is
slow. Learning takes place through repetition and practice.

Children should participate in multiple activities. These activities should consist of easy and light exercises.

Middle Childhood Stage (7 to 10 years)

In this stage, children develop flexibility and coordination along with strength, and speed. Thus a lot of playful
activities should be there in their curriculum like running, jumping, calisthenic exercises, and Yoga asanas.

Later Childhood Stage (11 to 12 years)

During this stage, growth is slower whereas development is very rapid. Muscles gain strength and
neuromuscular coordination improves. Intellectual development comes through repetition, practice and
experience. During this stage, children should participate in a lot of physical activities.

Adolescence Stage (13 to 19 years)

In this stage, the transition takes place from childhood to maturity. In this period, rapid development takes place
physically, mentally, socially and emotionally.

During this stage, high-intensity activities are recommended for at least 60 minutes. They should involve
themselves in muscle and bone-strengthening activities.

Adolescent Problems & Their Management

Aggressive Behavior: Adolescent has Aggressive behavior and often become violent very fast. They easily
become irritated and repulsive

Overconfidence and hide mistakes: Teenagers are often overconfident and hide their mistakes and try to make
fools of others.

Friends gave importance: Teenagers like the company of friends and enjoy being in a peer group.

Wastage of time: They often waste time on useless things like gossiping, talking, watching TV, listening to
music, idle sitting, etc.

Deflected towards drugs and smoking: Often with the bad company of friends, they are deflected towards
health hazards like smoking, drugs, alcohol, etc.

Wrong sexual desires: They sometimes commit wrong sexual relationships.

Lack of concentration: Teens have a low concentration on studies and many important works.

Neglect Family: They often neglect or avoid listening to their parents or teachers.

Lavish Expenses: They waste money on useless things like makeup, costly clothes, fast food, etc.

Beauty conscious: In this age, they are more conscious about the body, figure, beauty, etc.

Attraction towards the opposite sex: At this age, they are attracted to the opposite sex and have a lot of desire
to interact with them
Inadequate rest and sleep: During this age, they have sleepless nights, and inadequate rest and sleep.

Management of Adolescence Problems

Providing a healthy atmosphere: The atmosphere at home and school should be healthy and cheerful for their
proper growth and development.

Proper sex education: At this stage, adolescents must be properly guided to tackle sex problems and their
doubts must be clear regarding sexual development.

Checking mistakes: At this stage, their faults and mistakes must be politely and sympathetically treated instead
of punishing or blaming them.

Proper use of energy: Teenagers are very energetic, which needs to be channeled properly.

Mode of education: Education must be interestingly provided to them so that they explore their inner
capabilities.

Development of moral values: At this stage, they must be properly taught about their cultures, traditions, and
customs and follow them sincerely.

Team Cohesion and Sports

Great teams work like friends! They trust each other, help each other, and work together to win. Doing things
together on and off the field makes them closer and stronger. Sports are awesome for learning and growing
together.

Teams that celebrate wins and learn from mistakes get better and have more fun. Team spirit or team cohesion
is about more than winning – it’s about making friends and learning important things like teamwork and how to
be nice (empathy).

What we learn in sports helps us in life too! Coaches, players, and fans let’s all work together to make sports
friendly and fun for everyone!

Introduction to Psychological Attributes: Attention, Resilience, Mental Toughness

In the realm of psychology, certain attributes play a significant role in shaping our behaviors, responses, and
overall well-being. Three essential psychological attributes are attention, resilience, and mental toughness. Let’s
briefly explore each of them:

Attention:

Attention is our ability to focus on specific stimuli or tasks while filtering out distractions. It’s like a spotlight
that illuminates what matters most at any given moment.

Being attentive helps us absorb information effectively, make better decisions, and perform well in various
areas of life. In today’s fast-paced world filled with distractions, nurturing and improving our attention is crucial
for enhanced productivity and overall mental clarity.

Resilience:
Resilience is our ability to bounce back from adversity, challenges, or setbacks. Life can throw unexpected
curveballs, and resilience enables us to cope with stress, adapt to changes, and maintain our emotional well-
being.

Building resilience involves developing a positive mindset, cultivating support networks, and learning from
experiences, turning difficulties into opportunities for growth and learning.

Mental Toughness:

Mental toughness refers to the mental and emotional strength that allows us to persevere and perform at our
best, even under pressure or in the face of adversity. It involves maintaining focus, staying determined, and
managing stress effectively.

Mental toughness is often seen in high-performing athletes, leaders, and individuals who push their limits to
achieve their goals. Developing mental toughness involves consistent practice, self-belief, and the willingness to
step outside our comfort zones.