In 1954, Muzafer Sherif, O. J. Harvey, B. Jack White, William R. Hood, and Carolyn W. Sherif undertook a project that allowed them to examine inter and intragroup relationships in a naturalistic setting. This classic field-based experimental study, known as the Robbers Cave Experiment because of its location (Robbers Cave State Park in Oklahoma), involved
Conformity refers to the process of matching one’s actions or beliefs with the behavior and norms of those around us. Research into the nature of this phenomenon was popularized by prominent social psychologists in the early to mid-20th century such as Muzafer Sherif and Solomon Asch. Today, there exists a well-established literature base regarding the
Consulting may be described as a temporary relationship that is developed when an individual or entity seeks information or advice. Consultation may occur at the individual, group, or organizational level. It is intended to help the designated client function more effectively and efficiently within a specific setting. Although consultation is a helping relationship, it differs
To call oneself a psychologist (at least in the United States and Canada), or use the terms psychologist, psychological, or psychology, one must be licensed in the state or province in which one practices. However, if one works in academia, calling oneself a sport psychologist is an appropriate term to use as it is descriptive
Ethics is the investigation of the primary moral assumptions held by individuals, organizations, or professions that are used to help members make sound decisions about what is right and wrong. To expand on this definition, ethics refers to an organization’s attempts to protect the welfare of clients by developing, adopting, and enforcing guidelines that regulate
Sport psychology professionals maintain an ethical obligation to ensure services are helping clients (and conversely, not harming them), and thus allowing clients the opportunity to provide feedback is a key element of effective service provision. Components of Evaluation There are a variety of subjective (or self-report) and objective measures available that consultants can select to
Flow is a special psychological state of total absorption in a task. When in flow, athletes are fully focused on what they are doing, and this heightened attention is associated with a number of positive factors. Accompanying a focused mindset are factors such as knowing exactly what one is going to do and how one
Athletes are confronted with a variety of stressors, challenges, and adversities, external (e.g., hostile crowds, referee errors, challenged by an opponent, sport and life balance) and internal (e.g., fatigue, self-doubt, emotional instability), which are characteristic of the training and competition contexts of sport. Some athletes manage these demands or challenges positively, either having a smooth
Personality is typically defined as a person’s distinctive and enduring (i.e., cross-situational) thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that characterize the person’s reactions to life situations. Personality traits are also defined as specific properties that predispose a person to react in certain ways in given classes of situations—sport, for example. Some personality traits are genetically determined and
Personality differences among individuals can be explained in relation to their individual differences in need patterns. Individuals possess various needs—very basic ones, such as the consumption of food and avoidance of pain; and secondary ones, such as achievement, affiliation, and dominance. These primary and secondary needs have the potential to influence an individual’s pattern of