Sport and Performance Psychology (7224.3)

Please note these are the 2026 details for this unit
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Sport and Performance Psychology
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods Hybrid
 Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Health
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Discipline Of Sport And Exercise Science Level 2 - Undergraduate Intermediate Unit Band 1 2021 (Pg Clinical Psychology)
Band 2 2021 (Prof Pathway Psychology-After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 2 2021 (Prof Pathway Psychology-Before 1 Jan 2021)
Band 2 2021 (Standard Course Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan Social Work_Exclude 0905)
Band 4 2021 (Standard Course Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
The unit aims to provide the student with an understanding of how various aspects of psychology can be applied to sport in order to improve both performance and performance-related variables for sports participants. Unit material will initially deal with constructs such as personality, motivation, and anxiety and their effects on performance. Particular attention will be given to the relationship between coaching behaviours and subsequent motivation to participate in movement activities. The final section of the unit will involve the process of psychological skills training for sport participants.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Collect, analyse and interpret data from a sport psychology laboratory setting;
2. Discuss how to incorporate knowledge gained in the subject to formulate long term training plans for athletes;
3. Critically evaluate and present findings of current sport psychology research articles to peers; and
4. Demonstrate a knowledge of the role sports psychology plays in relation to other sports sciences.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development


Skills development

NOTE 1: Several assessments in this unit are linked to specific learning activities, that will require engagement at specific times during the semester. For example. Assessment 2 is enabled by submitted an initial draft 2 weeks prior to the actual final submission date. Failing to engage and submit documents at the specified times may substantially delay or disrupt the submission and marking processes, in these instances. 

 

NOTE 2: This unit requires learners to demonstrate both critical thinking and independent learning. 



Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2026 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 03 February 2025 Hybrid Dr Richard Keegan
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 16 February 2026 Hybrid Dr Richard Keegan
The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit timetable.

Required texts

Weinberg, R. S., & Gould, D. Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology (6th Edition). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. (GV706.4.G68 2003)

NB *required* readings are provided on Canvas, but course participants are encouraged to engage with wider reading, particularly focussing on peer reviewed journal articles

Please also strongly consider:

FOR APPLIED PRACTICE ELEMENTS: Keegan, R.J. (2016). Being a Sport Psychologist. Palgrave MacMillan. ISBN: 978-1-137-30089-8

FOR CRITIQUING RESEARCH ELEMENTS: Hassmen, P., Keegan, R.J., & Piggott, D.J.S. (2016). Rethinking Sport and Exercise Psychology. Palgrave MacMillan. ISBN: 978-1137483379

FOR GROUP / SOCIAL PSYCH Elements: Davies, L., Keegan, R.J. & Jowett, S. (2023). Social Psychology in Sport (2nd Edition). Human Kinetics. 978-0736057806

See also:

  • Horn, T.S (2008 and/or 2018). Advances in Sport Psychology. Champaign, Illinois: Human Kinetics. (GV706.4.A38 2008)
  • Lavallee, D., Kremer, J., Moran, A.P., & Williams, M. (2004). Sport Psychology: Contemporary Themes. Basingstoke: Palgrave McMillan.
  • Mellalieu, S.D., and Hanton, S. (2009). Advances in Applied Sport Psychology: A review. London, Routledge. (GV706.4.A355 2010)
  • Gardner, F., & Moore, Z. (2006). Clinical Sport Psychology. Champaign IL: Human Kinetics. (GV706.4.G37 2006)
  • Lavallee, D., Williams, J.M., and Jones, M.V. (2008). Key studies in Sport and Exercise Psychology. New York: McGraw-Hill. (GV706.4.L38 2008)
  • Weinberg, R. S., & Gould, D. Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology (7th Edition). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. (Not held in library yet)

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Artificial intelligence

Students are permitted to use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) as indicated in the assessment instructions for this unit.

GenAI may only be used in authorised ways when completing assessments at UC. This means that GenAI can only be used for an assessment when:

  1. the Unit Convener has authorised GenAI use for that assessment
  2. the student uses GenAI in the way that the assessment instructions allow
  3. the student fully acknowledges their use of GenAI, with proper citations, references and a GenAI Acknowledgement Statement in line with the assessment instructions.

Where the assessment instructions do not specifically state that GenAI may be used and how, then its use is not permitted for that assessment. Students must still provide the required GenAI Acknowledgement Statement to indicate whether GenAI has or has not been used in the preparation of the assessment. If unsure, students should seek advice from the Unit Convener.

The GenAI for Students Links to an external site. Library Guide provides further information, including how to reference GenAI.

Please note that this unit uses assessment for learning - that is, assessments that are designed to drive and generate learning. This is different to some other contexts and settings.

 

The unit also places a heavy emphasis on personalised formative feedback generated through class discussions and online forum activities - both from teachers and from peers - and so failing to take these opportunities when offered or - for example - seeking to learn by only listening to other people's conversations, and not participating, is not recommended.

 

The unit does not seek to deliver a simple 'product' to be passively consumed and instead seeks to create the conditions for optimal (i.e., lifelong, empowering) learning: compatible learning that is expected in the university setting. 

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Participation requirements

It is possible to complete this unit without physically attending campus, but you must keep up to date with the online tasks, assessments, and activities. 

Required IT skills

It is expected that students will possess UC IT entry skills, allowing them to access the unit's Campus/UC_Learn site.

In-unit costs

It is not compulsory to purchase a textbook or particular software

Work placement, internships or practicums

No placements are required/offered within this unit. Please note that the 'tender' assessment task does have a significant focus on industry engagement, but that the resources and content for this have been prepared for you - it is a 'simulation' of a real world activity. 

Additional information

The unit will adopt APA referencing style, as per the APA 7th Edition Manual. 

Announcements made on Canvas and in lectures are deemed to be made to the whole group and students should always check Canvas before contacting teaching staff with queries. 

Students are expected to have (or seek out) core knowledge of research methods and basic background to psychology that will support learning in this unit.

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