Overview

This unit will introduce the principles, concepts and applications of psychology to: (i) participation in Physical Activity and Exercise, as these relate to 'health' and (ii) Performance in Sporting contexts. The primary objective is to facilitate an understanding of how psychological factors influence involvement and performance in sport, exercise and physical activity settings. The unit will explore such topics as personality, identity, competition and cooperation, motivation, and group cohesion and dynamics in sport, exercise and physical activity.

Requisites

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
02-March-2026
31-May-2026
Last self-enrolment date
15-March-2026
Census date
31-March-2026
Last withdraw without fail date
21-April-2026
Results released date
07-July-2026

Unit learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
 

  1. Critically evaluate psychology theory and research findings relevant to sport, exercise and physical activity.
  2. Explain key concepts and theories from a number of content areas including personality, identity, motivation, anxiety/arousal, community engagement, groups and teams as they apply to sport, exercise and physical activity.
  3. Apply theoretical perspectives from sport and exercise psychology to real world contexts.
  4. Critique research methodologies used within sport and exercise psychology, and develop an awareness of professional and research ethics in sport, exercise and physical activity settings.
  5. Integrate information from various sources concerning topics and problems related to the psychology of sport, exercise and physical activity, and communicate the results of these investigations in a logical and clear manner to different audiences.
  6. Demonstrate an increased understanding of your own behaviour, mental processes and experiences and the behaviour of others in the context of sport, exercise and physical activity.

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Activity Type Activity Total Hours Number of Weeks Hours Per Week
On-campus Lecture 12 12 weeks 1
On-campus Class 24 12 weeks 2
Specified Activities Various 60 12 weeks 5
Unspecified Activities Various 54 12 weeks 4.5
Total Hours: 150 Total Hours (per week): 12.5

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Assignment 1 Individual  30%  1,2,3,4,5 
Assignment 2 Individual  40%  3,4,6 
Assignment 3 Individual  30%  1,2,3,4 

Content

  • History, applications, methods and ethical issues in sport, exercise and physical activity
  • Personality and identity
  • Motivation, participation and adherence to advocated health related physical activity
  • Factors affecting exercise participation
  • Motivation, goal setting, feedback and reinforcement
  • Stress, arousal, anxiety and aggression
  • Imagery
  • Competition, cooperation, leadership and group processes
  • Community engagement and involvement
  • Psychological health and wellbeing
  • Graduate Attribute – Communication Skills: Verbal communication
  • Graduate Attribute – Communication Skills: Communicating using different media
  • Graduate Attribute – Teamwork Skills: Collaboration and negotiation
  • Graduate Attribute – Teamwork Skills: Teamwork roles and processes
  • Graduate Attribute – Digital Literacies: Information literacy
  • Graduate Attribute – Digital Literacies: Technical literacy

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.