SPORT PSYCHOLOGY

01:955:301, Section 03, Index #10023

Tuesday/Friday 9:15-10:55 AM
Loree 020 Lecture Hall
Syllabus - Fall, 2018

Instructor -Dr. David A. Feigley

Department -Kinesiology and Health (Formerly: Exercise Science and Sport Studies)
Office -Loree Building, Room 107; Douglass Campus,
Telephones -Dept. Office – 848-932-9525; Cell Phone – 732-672-7717
e-mails [email protected]
Office Hours -Tuesday and Friday from 2:15 to 3:30 or by appointment
Required Text -Weinberg, R.S. & Gould, D. (2015). Foundations of Sport and
Exercise Psychology. (6th ed.) Human Kinetics Press: Champaign, IL.
-ISBN (Hard Cover Edition): 9781450469814
-ISBN (Loose Leaf Edition): 9781492546061
-ISBN (eBook Edition): 9781492501718
PURPOSE:
This course examines psychology and sport from three perspectives: The Academician's
Perspective investigates how you can apply general psychological theories and principles specifically to
sport. The Professional's Perspective describes who sport psychologists are, how they are credentialed
and what issues (such as ethics and competencies) define the field of sport psychology. The Individual's
Perspective examines how sport psychology influences the quality of people's lives and how psychology
can enhance sports performance at all skill levels.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

1. Attendance - Although attendance will be taken in class, it is normally not a factor in grading.
However, because numerous classes are experiential, excessive absences will result in a lower grade.
Materials covered in the lecture/discussion are not always directly available in the assigned readings.
Students are responsible for such materials. Students having academic difficulties and poor attendance
will be referred to the Academic Dean.

2. Exams - Four exams, each covering six of the 24 chapters will be held on the dates listed in this
syllabus. All exams will be multiple choice and matching and will cover both assigned readings and
lecture material. Students with legitimate scheduling conflicts (e.g., an “away” sports competition) or
verifiable illness must notify the instructor BEFORE the exam. Only a doctor’s note is acceptable for
missed exams.

3. Lecture Notes – All lecture presentations are available in outline form as Power Point Presentations via
SAKAI under the heading Resources. It is strongly recommended that you down load the presentations as
a hard copy or bring computer access to sakai to permit you to take focused notes during class.

4. Semester Term Paper Topic Proposal - Submit a typed title and a one brief paragraph description of
each of one to three potential issues you might wish to analyze in your semester term paper. Due: Friday,

1
Sept. 21, 2018 prior to the start of class.

5. Research Study Critique - Using a research study provided to you, analyze the study following the
specific guidelines provided by the instructor. The purpose of this assignment is to provide you with an
opportunity to analyze research studies similar to those necessary to complete the annotated bibliography
and the contemporary term paper. Due: Friday, October 12, 2018 prior to the start of class.

6. Annotated Bibliography Literature Search - Survey the existing scientific literature for a minimum
of 12 reference sources related to a sports psychology topic of your choice. At least nine references (75%)
must come from 2015 or more recent dates. All must be from empirical research sources (i.e., scientific
journals) and at least 50% (six) must come from sport journals. The remaining sources may come from the
general psychological literature. The search may be done manually or by using any of the search
mechanism at any of the university libraries or over the internet. The references must be related to your
chosen topic, be written in APA reference style, and have a three-sentence critique (See separate guidelines
on SAKAI) evaluating the substance and/or value of the study for your paper. This bibliography will form
the scientific and empirical basis of your contemporary term paper. If the annotated bibliography is well
done, there is an excellent chance that your term paper will also be strong. Without such a minimal
bibliography, no term paper will be accepted. Due: Friday, Nov 2, 2018 prior to the start of class.

7. Contemporary Term Paper - Select a sport psychology issue that interests you from the list of topics
provided by the instructor. A detailed set of instructions will be provided during the second week of the
semester via SAKAI. You may propose an issue other than those listed, but approval from the instructor is
strongly encouraged to ensure that your chosen topic is appropriate for this course. The term paper should
examine a contemporary issue from a psychological perspective. The operational definition of
“contemporary” means that 75% of all your references must come from 2015 or later. Popular references
(e.g., Sports Illustrated; Sporting News), while permissible and encouraged, are NOT sufficient for an
acceptable paper. All written assignments, unless otherwise noted, must be typed in APA style and be
submitted on time. Due: Tuesday, December 4, 2018 prior to the start of class.

8. Prerequisites - All students in this 300 level course (i.e., junior year) are assumed to:
a. have taken a basic introductory psychology course;
b. Be able to write, or being willing to learn to write, formal papers using APA style. (The
APA Style Manual, 6th Edition is available in all Rutgers Libraries and most bookstores.)

SPECIAL NEEDS:

Should you have any special needs that make it difficult for you to perform adequately on any of
the requirements for this course, please notify the instructor in writing before any course deadline. In
some cases, needs may have to be appropriately documented.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY:

All students must be familiar with the Rutgers Academic Integrity Policy BEFORE taking any
exam and/or submitting any written assignments. Some questions on some exams may ask about major
points outlined by this policy. The policy can be found at:
http://academicintegrity.rutgers.edu/academic-integrity-policy/. Because the issues involved with

2
plagiarism are so crucial to academic integrity, the following links are provided to assist you maintaining
the highest quality of academic integrity performance not only in this specific course but also throughout
your college experience and subsequent professional career. Should you have any questions about this
policy, please contact the instructor.

1. The Camden Plagiarism Tutorial (INTERACTIVE):

http://library.camden.rutgers.edu/EducationalModules/Plagiarism/

2. Consult Don't Plagiarize: Document Your Research! For tips about how to take notes so that you
don't plagiarize by accident. http://www.libraries.rutgers.edu/avoid_plagiarism

3. http://academicintegrity.rutgers.edu/resources-for-students

GRADING:

Grades will be weighted according to the following factors:

Four Exams @ 10% each 40%
Research Study Critique 5%
Literature Search (Annotated Bibliography) 15%
Term Paper 40%
100%
Extra Credit Opportunities:
10 Multiple Choice Exam Questions per exam: Up to 2 pts. per exam
Research-Based Coaching Tip: Up to 2% added to Semester Average

Note: A formal, typed written proposal for your term paper will result in +/-3% influence for your
term paper grade.

Using the above proportions, final grades will be based upon the following percentages:
90% or higher A 70-74% C
85-89% B+ 60-69% D
80-84% B 59% or lower F
75-79% C+

EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES:

1. Study Guide – Multiple Choice Exam-Oriented Questions

To encourage early preparation and provide extra credit project, prior to each of the four exams you
may prepare 10 multiple-choice questions with 5 alternative answers based upon the lecture material and
assigned readings. They must be typed and submitted one week prior to each exam. At least one question
must come from each of the six assigned chapters. Guidelines for such a submission will be provided in a
handout distributed during the first class and available on SAKAI. Each submission that follows the strict
and specific guidelines will result in the addition of 2 percentage points added to each exam for which the
questions are submitted.

3
2. Empirical, Research-Based Coaching Tip (Digest Article) – A practical teaching, coaching,
or administrative tip based upon a recent empirical study with findings that a youth sport
athlete, coach, parent or administrator could use in an applied situation. It can count as 2% of
your grade if it follows directions and is a realistic, practical coaching tip based upon recent
research. Maximum Length: One typed page describing your explanation of the tip and a
physical copy of the research article on which the tip is based or a complete electronic file of
the reference (not simply the abstract!). Due: Wednesday, November 21, 2018 (the change
of designation day – Wednesday of that week is Friday’s classes) prior to the start of class.
More detailed directions are on Sakai.

IMPORTANT DATES AND/OR DEADLINES:

(For those students with conflicts between religious dates and course deadlines, please see the
instructor prior to course deadlines to resolve the conflict.)

1. Tuesday, September 11, 2018 – Last day to withdraw without a “W” grade
2. Wednesday, September 12, 2018 – Last day to add courses
3. Tuesday, September 18, 2018 – Extra Credit Assignment #1 due
4. Friday, September 21, 2018 – Term Paper Topic Proposals due
5. Tuesday, September 25, 2018 - Exam I - (Ch. 1, 2, 3, 6, 17, 18 + Lecture Notes)
6. Friday, October 12, 2018 – Research Critique due
7. Tuesday, October 16, 2018 – Extra Credit Assignment #2 due
8. Friday, October 19, 2018 - Exam II - (Ch.4, 9, 10, 22, 23, 24 + Lecture Notes)
9. Monday, October 29, 2018 – Last day to withdraw with a “W” grade
10. Friday, November 2, 2018 – Annotated Bibliography due
11. Tuesday, November 6, 2018 – Extra Credit Assignment #3 due
12. Tuesday, November 13, 2018 - Exam III - (Ch. 11 thru 16 + Lecture Notes)
13. Wednesday, November 21, 2018 – Research-Based Coaching Tip Due
14. Tuesday, December 54, 2018 – Contemporary Term Paper due
15. Tuesday, December 11, 2018 – Extra Credit Assignment #4 due
16. Tuesday, December 18, 2018 – 9:30-11:00 AM, Exam IV - (Ch. 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 21 + Lecture
Notes).

4
 COURSE CONTENT:
Week Week of: Readings Topics
Course Format; How Do We “Know” What We Know? Assessing
1 Sept 2 Ch 1, 3 the Trustworthiness of Information; Time Mgt. Techniques;
Defining Sport, Psychology and Sport Psychology
Value of Theories; Personality; Psychological Testing; Achievement
Motivation; Attribution Theory and Self-Perception; Stress and
2 Sept 9 Ch 2, 6
Anxiety; Arousal-Performance Relationships; Competition and
Cooperation
Exercise and Psychological Well-Being; Exercise Adherence and
3 Sept 16 Ch 17, 18
Compliance Issues
4 Sept 23 Exam, Play Lab
Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018 – Exam I (Chapters 1, 2, 3, 6, 17 & 18 + Lecture Notes)
Children in Sport; Self-esteem Issues; Why Kids Quit; Working with
5 Sept 30 Ch 22, 24
Parents; Sportsmanship/Moral Development
6 Oct 7 Ch 9, 23 Coaching/Leadership Behaviors, Styles & Theories; Aggression
7 Oct 14 Ch 4, 10 Arousal, Stress & Anxiety; Communication
8 Friday, Oct. 19, 2018 – Exam II (Chapters 4, 9, 10, 22, 23 & 24 + Lecture Notes)
Oct 21 Ch 11, 13 Developing a Coaching Philosophy; Psychology of Faster Teaching
9 Oct 28 Ch 12, 14 Preparation for Competition: Peak Performance; Mental
Toughness; Choking
10 Nov 4 Ch 15, 16 Goal Setting and Personal Styles; Coping with Fear in High Risk
Sports
11 Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018 – Exam III (Chapters 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 & 16 + Lecture Notes)
12 Nov 11 Ch 20 Exam III; Addiction: Substance Abuse; Gambling; Eating Disorders;
13
Change of Designation Day
Nov 18 Ch 21 This week Tuesday = Thursday; Wednesday = Friday
Psychological Burnout
14 Nov 25 Ch 19 CDC Disease Model of Injuries; Psychology of Injuries
15 Dec 2 Ch 7, 8 Group Dynamics and Team Cohesion
16 Dec 9 Ch 5 Professional Issues in Counseling: Ethics, Credentialing; Future
Trends in Sport Psychology
Dec 13 Thursday Reading Day
Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018 (9:30 – 11:00 AM) – Exam IV (Chapters 5, 7, 8, 19, 20 & 21 + Lecture Notes)

5
Student-Wellness Services:

Just In Case Web App

http://codu.co/cee05e
Access helpful mental health information and resources for yourself or a friend in a mental health crisis on
your smartphone or tablet and easily contact CAPS or RUPD.

Counseling, ADAP & Psychiatric Services (CAPS)

(848) 932-7884 / 17 Senior Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901/ www.rhscaps.rutgers.edu/
CAPS is a University mental health support service that includes counseling, alcohol and other drug
assistance, and psychiatric services staffed by a team of professional within Rutgers Health services to
support students’ efforts to succeed at Rutgers University. CAPS offers a variety of services that include:
individual therapy, group therapy and workshops, crisis intervention, referral to specialists in the community
and consultation and collaboration with campus partners.

Violence Prevention & Victim Assistance (VPVA)

(848) 932-1181 / 3 Bartlett Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 / www.vpva.rutgers.edu/
The Office for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance provides confidential crisis intervention,
counseling and advocacy for victims of sexual and relationship violence and stalking to students, staff and
faculty. To reach staff during office hours when the university is open or to reach an advocate after hours,
call 848-932-1181.

Disability Services
(848) 445-6800 / Lucy Stone Hall, Suite A145, Livingston Campus, 54 Joyce Kilmer Avenue,
Piscataway, NJ 08854 / https://ods.rutgers.edu/
Rutgers University welcomes students with disabilities into all of the University's educational programs. In
order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, a student with a disability must contact the
appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake
interview, and provide documentation: https://ods.rutgers.edu/students/documentation-guidelines. If the
documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus’s disability services
office will provide you with a Letter of Accommodations. Please share this letter with your instructors and
discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. To begin this process, please
complete the Registration form on the ODS web site at: https://ods.rutgers.edu/students/registration-form.

Scarlet Listeners
(732) 247-5555 / http://www.scarletlisteners.com/
Free and confidential peer counseling and referral hotline, providing a comforting and supportive safe
space.