EPE 348: Psychological Skills for Optimal Performance

Instructors:  Shawn Arent, M.S.;  Rafer Lutz, M.S.

09:15 – 10:30 TTH 65902  PEBE 211 Final Exam:  Thursday, Dec 16th: 7:40 – 9:30 am (Arent)
12:15 – 1:30  TTH 89094  PEBE 219 Final Exam:  Tuesday, Dec 14th: 12:20 – 2:10 pm (Lutz)

Instructor Information:
Office:  PE East 168
Office Hours:  See Instructor
Phone:  965-4676
Email: sarent@asu.edu   rafer@asu.edu

Prerequisites:  None

Catalog Description:
Application of psychological techniques and their use to improve effectiveness and performance in sport and related areas (e.g., exercise and wellness, music, and academics).

Course Objectives:
Students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of applied sport psychology techniques
2. Demonstrate more effective daily living skills
3. Demonstrate knowledge of basic theory and concepts that are the foundation of applied sport psychology

Texts and Readings:
1. Martens:  Coaches Guide to Sport Psychology
2. Assigned Handouts and Articles

Exams
Each exam will be worth 40 points.  Exams will last approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.  Exams will only cover material presented since the prior exam.

Assignments
You the student are responsible for asking for all missed material, announcements, and assignments.

Case Studies – Two case studies will be completed in class as group projects.  One case study will be started in class then taken home to be completed individually.  The take-home case study will be due and turned-in to class one week later.

Homework – Several assignments are to be completed outside of class. Homework assignments are due at the beginning of class.  Homework grades will be reduced if turned in late.

In-class assignments – Assignments will be given during class time and turned-in at the end of class. These may consist of quizzes, exercises, presentations, and writing assignments.  All in class assignments (case studies, in-class assignments, class participation) cannot be made up, however, extra credit may be substituted for two in-class assignments.

Psychological Skills Project
Complete directions will be passed out during the semester.  The assignment is due IN CLASS on December 7th.

Extra Credit
Extra credit will consist of participation in an approved research project.  Details will be provided later in the semester.

Grading Scale

% of Grade Points  Graded
20  40  Midterm #1
20  40  Midterm #2
20  40  Final
20  40  Psychological Skills Program
10  20  Case Studies / Homework
10  20  In-Class Assignments /Class Participation

  10 possible Extra Credit

Grading

Points      Grade
180-200     A
160-179     B
140-159     C
120-139     D
< 120         E

Date                  Topic Readings
24-Aug T        Introduction / Overview
26-Aug TH     Developing Your Mission
31-Aug T        Time Management
2-Sep TH        Coaching Basics Chapter 1
7-Sep T           Goal Setting Chapter 10
9-Sep TH        Self-efficacy
14-Sep T         Case Studies (Commitment, Dedication & Goal Setting)
16-Sep TH      Personality and Performance
21-Sep T         Personality and Performance
23-Sep TH      Character Development & Sportspersonship
28-Sep T         Midterm #1
30-Sep TH      Motivation/Attributions Chapter 2
5-Oct T           Case Study (Motivation)
7-Oct TH        Group Dynamics Chapter 3-4
12-Oct T         Group Dynamics
14-Oct TH       Social Facilitation/Social Loafing
19-Oct T          Introduction to Psychological Skills Training Chapter 5
21-Oct TH       Self-talk
26-Oct T         Case Study (Confidence & Expectations of Others)
28-Oct TH       Imagery Application Chapter 6
2-Nov T           Midterm #2
4-Nov TH        Stress/Anxiety/Arousal Chapter 8
9-Nov T           Stress/Anxiety/Arousal
11-Nov TH      VETERAN'S DAY - NO CLASS
16-Nov T         Relaxation Training
18-Nov TH      Biofeedback
23-Nov T         Hypnosis/Project Workshop
25-Nov TH      THANKSGIVING - NO CLASS
30-Nov T         Attention/Concentration Chapter 9
2-Dec TH         Psychophysiology of Sport
7-Dec T            Preparing for Competition/Preperformance Routines Project Due
9-Dec TH         Reading Day

Shawn's Class:    Final Exam:  Thursday, Dec 16th: 7:40 – 9:30am  PEBE 211
Rafer's Class:      Final Exam:  Tuesday, Dec 14th: 12:20 – 2:10pm  PEBE 219