James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2001

PY2105:03

Health, Sports and Exercise Psychology

Townsville

Prerequisites: PY1001 or PY1002 or PY1003 or PY1102 or PY1104
Inadmissable Subject Combination: PY2087 SP3007

26 lectures, 24 tutorials. Second semester.

Staff: Ms J Lukins.

This subject introduces students to health, sport, exercise and psychology as a theoretical and applied discipline. Emphasis will be given to the role of psychological theory and research methodology in terms of understanding human experience in a health, sport and exercise context. Subject content will include psychosocial stress and its affect on health; health promotion and disease prevention, practitioner-patient interactions and compliance with medical regimens, motivational states affecting sporting performance, the role of anxiety and aggression in sport performance and social dynamics of team performance and coaching.

Learning Objectives:

  1. understand human behaviour in sport and exercise using psychological theory and established research methods;
  2. encourage students to approach psychological research critically and thoughtfully;
  3. develop a good understanding of principles of health and sport psychology in health care practice, public health and sporting environments.

Assessment by essay (20%); mid-semester quiz (30%); examination (50%).