Textbook
Social Psychology in Sport
Davis, L., Keegan, R., & Jowett, S. (2025). Social psychology in sport (2nd ed.). Human Kinetics, Inc.
- Read Chapters 6, 10-12.
- Chapter 6 discusses the fundamental aspects of sport leadership, including historical perspectives and the Multidimensional Model of Leadership (MML). It covers measurement and research associated with MML, examining athlete, situational, and leader characteristics, as well as outcomes. The chapter also explores the Mediational Model of Leadership (MEDM), its research, and future directions, offering practical implications.
- Chapter 10 highlights how coaches exert significant influence on athletes' cognition, emotions, and behavior both within and beyond sports. Theories like Achievement Goal Theory (AGT) and Self-Determination Theory (SDT) elucidate the dynamics of the motivational climate shaped by coaches. This chapter advocates for an integrated model merging AGT and SDT constructs, facilitating a comprehensive understanding of coaching behaviors' impact. It emphasizes the need for systematic coach training to foster positive sporting environments.
- Chapter 11 addresses the positive impact coaches instill by fostering a caring climate for athletes and by promoting holistic development. Furthermore, this chapter introduces caring practices, including the caring relation and community frameworks. Insights into factors influencing caring practices and their motives are emerging, illuminating their connection to various athlete outcomes and well-being in sports.
- Lastly, Chapter 12 provides evidence from SDT literature that confirms coaches' impact on athletes' psychological needs. Coaches can either support or thwart these needs, affecting motivational pathways. Satisfied needs lead to positive outcomes, while frustrated ones result in negative outcomes. Recent evidence suggests a third style, needs indifferent, highlighting the importance of targeting coaches' behaviors to foster supportive styles.
Your course textbook can be accessed via the DART eBook link in the Getting Started module.
