Module Code - Title:
SS6152
-
PERFORMANCE PSYCHOLOGY
Year Last Offered:
2026/7
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
This module provides students with a balance of academic theory, contemporary issues and applied practices in performance psychology. Students are encouraged to integrate and translate theory and research into practice and to develop skills in performance psychology. Essentially the module aims to take students beyond understanding what is done in performance psychology to understanding how performance psychology service is delivered.
Syllabus:
Psychological characteristics of peak performance, characteristics of elite performers and their development, increasing of awareness; selected mental skills and strategies (e.g. pre-performance routines, simulation training, imagery scripts, self-talk, self-regulation, decision-making skills, visual attention), motor cognition, action-observation, guidelines and procedures for implementing intervention strategies in various performance domains; Attention will also be given to the environment in which performance occurs focusing on aspects of contextual intelligence and metacognition.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
Evaluate research with respect to current issues in performance psychology and the application of psychological concepts, skills and strategies in practical contexts.
Design a theoretically based psychological intervention aimed at improving performance
Apply a range of psychological skills and demonstrate their application to performance through active learning processes, practical experiences and interaction with peers
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
Display self-reflective capacities in relation to performance development and learning
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
Conduct a needs assessment of a performer using a variety of methods
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
Lectures, lab sessions, and tutorials are utilised to provide students with opportunities to learn theoretical content, assess performance, and discuss approaches toward performance improvement through peer learning.
Prime Texts:
Collins, D., Button, A. and Richards, H. (2011)
Performance Psychology: A Practitioners Guide.
, London: Churchill Livingstone
Raab, M., Lobinger, B., Hoffman, S., Pizzera, A., & Laborde, S. (Eds.). (2015)
Performance Psychology: Perception, Action, Cognition, and Emotion.
, Cambridge, MA: Academic Press.
Cotterill, S. T. (2018)
The Psychology of Performance.
, London: Routledge.
Other Relevant Texts:
Hays, K. (2009)
Performance Psychology in Action: a casebook for working with athletes, performing artists, business leaders and professionals in high-risk occupations
, Washington DC: APA press.
Mugford, A., & Gualberto Cremendes, J. (Eds.). (2018)
Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology: Theories and Applications.
, London: Routledge.
Williams, J. (2006)
Applied Sport Psychology; Personal Growth to Peak Performance.
, California City, CA: Mayfield.
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MENTAL SKILLS AND MENTAL HEALTH IN SPORTS AND EXERCISE
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN SPORT, EXERCISE AND PERFORMANCE PSYCHOLOGY
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Spring
Module Leader:
mark.campbell@ul.ie