Learning Outcomes:
This module will examine theoretical and applied topics in sport, exercise and health psychology. On completion of this module, students will:
1. Understand how psychological factors influence involvement and performance in sport and exercise settings.
2. Develop knowledge of relevant psychological theories.
3. Develop awareness of how sport, exercise and health psychology can be applied with various populations.
4. Critically evaluate the role of psychological factors within selected sport, exercise and health case studies.
Indicative Module Content:
This module provides a comprehensive introduction to psychological concepts central to understanding human behaviour and performance in sport, exercise, and health contexts. Grounded in the PsychMapping model, it offers a structured framework for analysing how individuals function within complex systems, and how psychological variables relate to broader physical, social, and circumstantial environments. Designed for non-psychology students like students in sport science, sport management, and physiotherapy, the module focuses on developing conceptual clarity and critical thinking without assuming prior knowledge of applied psychological techniques.
The first part of the module explores how people can be described using traits (relatively stable characteristics) and states (dynamic, momentary conditions). Students will learn to distinguish among physical, psychological, social, behavioural, and memory-based traits, as well as a range of state types—including cognitive, emotional, motivational, and self-related states. This knowledge lays the groundwork for understanding the interaction between traits and states, and their short- and long-term influence on behaviour and performance.
Subsequent weeks focus on the structure and antecedents of behaviour, examining how internal processes are expressed externally through actions, communication, and appearance. The role of external influences is addressed through the study of physical, interpersonal, social, and circumstantial factors that shape an individual’s environment and life context. The module then turns to perception, emphasising how people attend to, interpret, and emotionally respond to their surroundings—processes that are themselves shaped by traits and states.
In the final part of the module, students will explore self-regulation as a theoretical model for understanding how individuals manage their own functioning over time. Topics include self-awareness, goal setting, and the selection and implementation of strategies to respond to challenges or pursue personal and contextual goals. Overall, the module provides a solid theoretical foundation for understanding the psychological dimensions of human performance—relevant for future roles in sport, rehabilitation, health promotion, and organisational environments.