University of Essex

SE743-7-AU-CO:
Social psychology in sport and exercise

The details

Year: 2024/25

Department: Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences (School of)

Campus: Colchester Campus

Term: Autumn

Level: Postgraduate: Level 7

Status: Current

Start date: Thursday 03 October 2024

End date: Friday 13 December 2024

Credits: 15

Last updated: 09 August 2024

Requisites for this module

Pre-requisites: (none)

Co-requisites: (none)

Pre and / or co-requisites: (none)

Prohibited modules: (none)

Key module (requisite for): (none)

Key module for

MSC C60512 Sport and Exercise Psychology

Module description

This module examines social psychological and individual difference issues relating to the context of sport and exercise. In addition to providing a theoretical underpinning to the psycho-social processes relevant to sport and exercise, methods will be demonstrated with the aim of equipping students with a base of techniques applicable to the assessment of individual differences.

Module aims

The aim of this module is:

to enable you to identify and further understand key knowledge and applications of individual differences and psycho-social processes in sport and exercise psychology and their relevance to sport and exercise contexts.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of evidence relating to social processes in sport and / or exercise psychology including:

Identify, explain, and evaluate advanced issues in the psycho-social aspects of sport and exercise psychology.

Demonstrate a critical understanding of evidence relating to individual differences in sport and exercise psychology.

Develop skills to assess psycho-social processes and individual differences relevant to the context of sport and exercise.

Design effective psychological interventions in sport and exercise.

Apply theoretical knowledge to real world settings.

Coherently present ideas in written form.

Module information

No additional information available.

Learning and teaching methods

The module will employ a range of teaching and learning methods including seminars, practicals, reading and discussion tasks, questions and online resources.

Seminars: Seminars will be used to introduce and discuss key topics in social psychology and individual differences in sport and exercise. Seminar activities will involve discussions of readings, case-studies and other materials. These activities will provide important formative feedback in preparation for the module assessments. Throughout the modules these seminars will reduce in length to provide more space for independent study.

Support Sessions: Throughout the module there are two support sessions. We will use these to apply the knowledge learnt through the module to the assessments.

Independent Study: Students are expected to undertake directed and independent reading of key textbooks, journal articles, and other materials to support their learning and help prepare assignments. Case studies and associated problem-based learning activities will also be provided on the virtual learning environment to facilitate discussions around key topics in the social psychology of sport and exercise.

Online: Seminar materials and resources for the independent study tasks will appear on the SE743 Moodle pages.

Bibliography

Hagger, M. and Chatzisarantis, N. (2005) Social psychology of exercise and sport. Maidenhead: Open University Press. Available at: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=233950.
Gill, D.L., Williams, L. and Reifsteck, E.J. (2017a) Psychological dynamics of sport and exercise. Fourth edition. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. Available at: https://www-humankineticslibrary-com.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/encyclopedia-chapter?docid=b-9781492595779&tocid=b-9781492595779-chapter14&pdfid=9781492595779.ch-014.pdf.
Kouvonen, A. et al. (2012) ‘Social support and the likelihood of maintaining and improving levels of physical activity: the Whitehall II Study’, The European Journal of Public Health, 22(4), pp. 514–518. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckr091.
Fu, D. et al. (2021) ‘The effects of support (in)adequacy on self-confidence and performance: Two experimental studies.’, Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, 10(1), pp. 15–26. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1037/spy0000206.
Weinberg, R.S. and Gould, D. (2023) Foundations of sport and exercise psychology. Eighth edition. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/2300661.
Gill, D.L., Williams, L. and Reifsteck, E.J. (2017b) Psychological dynamics of sport and exercise. Fourth edition. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. Available at: https://www-humankineticslibrary-com.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/encyclopedia-chapter?docid=b-9781492595779&tocid=b-9781492595779-chapter17&pdfid=9781492595779.ch-017.pdf.
Deci, E.L. and Ryan, R.M. (1985) Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior. New York: Plenum. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=3086782.
Deci, E.L. and Ryan, R.M. (2012) ‘Self-Determination Theory’, in Handbook of Theories of Social Psychology: Volume 1. 1 Oliver’s Yard, 55 City Road, London EC1Y 1SP United Kingdom : SAGE Publications Ltd, pp. 416–437. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4135/9781446249215.n21.

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam	Description	Deadline	Coursework weighting
Coursework	Mini Review	15/11/2024	33%
Coursework	Research Protocol	10/01/2025	67%

Exam format definitions

Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Reassessment

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Module supervisor and teaching staff

Supervisor: Dr Andrew Brinkley, email: andrew.brinkley@essex.ac.uk.

Teaching staff: Dr Luke Olsson, Dr Mike Rogerson, Dr Paul Freeman.

Contact details: SRES Office, email: sres (Non essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create the full email address)

Availability

Available to incoming Essex Abroad / Exchange students: No

Available to Outside Option: No

Available to Audit: No

External examiner

Name: Dr Andrew John Manley

Institution: Leeds Beckett University

Academic role: Head of Subject (Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences)

Resources

Teaching materials: Available via Moodle

Lecture recording: Of 30 hours, 30 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

Further information

Department website: Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences (School of)

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Module Directory

SE743-7-AU-CO:Social psychology in sport and exercise