03120 - Psychology of Sports

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students will: – understand the motivational, cognitive, and social aspects essential to understanding and improving athletic performance; – understand the main models explaining athlete motivation, both intra-subjective and in relationships with the coach and team; – explore the relationship between anxiety, activation, attention, and performance, as well as the main techniques for optimizing activation levels while promoting athlete well-being and results; – be able to interpret group dynamics, recognizing their functional and dysfunctional aspects with respect to individual and collective performance in team sports.

Course contents

The primary goal of the course is to familiarize students with the key topics of sports psychology:


-Motivational Processes

-Sport and Personality

-Activation Management

-Attention and Sport

-Group Dynamics

The final part of the course will explore some specific topics:

-Choking Under Pressure

-Team Mental Models

-Injuries and Psychological Sequelae

Where possible, descriptions of theories and models will be accompanied by considerations relating to intervention/training/exercise techniques aimed at improving the performance and/or well-being of the athlete.

 

Readings/Bibliography

Cei, Alberto. Fondamenti di psicologia dello sport. Società editrice il Mulino, Spa, 2021.

Slide and articles provided by the teacher on the virtuale platform.

Recommended reading:

La psicologia dello sport in praticadi Giuseppe Vercelli e Andro Ferrari. Manfrini editore, 2019.

Teaching methods

The course will be held with frontal lessons in person.

Attendance is strongly recommended, also because the exam will be based on the material that will be discussed in the classroom.

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is suggested that they get in touch as soon as possible with the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) and with the lecturer in order to seek together the most effective strategies for following the lessons and/or preparing for the examination.

Assessment methods

Learning assessment will be via a written test with open-ended questions, to be completed in 60 minutes. The test will consist of 4 questions. Each question will be assigned a maximum of 5 points, starting from a base score of 12. A total score of 31 points corresponds to a grade of 30 cum laude.


A score of 5 points will be awarded to answers that are comprehensive in terms of content and formulated clearly and coherently, using appropriate vocabulary.


Students unfamiliar with the Italian language can, upon request, take the exam orally (in Italian/English/German).

The use of AI is prohibited for assessments. Any use constitutes a violation of academic integrity.


Students with learning disabilities (LD) or temporary or permanent disabilities: please contact the relevant University office promptly (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it). They will be responsible for suggesting any accommodations to the students concerned. These accommodations must be submitted to the instructor for approval 15 days in advance, who will evaluate their suitability also in relation to the educational objectives of the course.

Teaching tools

All of the slides will be provided by the teacher through "virtuale" and they will be the objective of the exam.

We will try to use as much as possible the digital supports (online forums, meetings on Teams) to favor the interaction between students and teacher.

Office hours

See the website of Matteo Valsecchi