Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Sports Psychology Does it Work? by Lyla S.
What is psychology? Do you believe in psychology? What about sports psychology? Is it possible that if you keep a positive attitude, after a few screw ups that you may possible create a wining streak, becoming almost perfect. It sounds a bit like that childhood story we all know, where the little train says “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can” and eventually does. Getting back on track, does sports psychology actually work?
There was an article written by Daniel Engber in slate www.slate.com/id/2146635 about sports psychology, and how it is more popular than ever, but does it really work? Well Daniel goes to state that Alex Rodriguez a New York Yankee, made five throwing errors and went hitless in 10 straight at-bats, then all next week goes flawless in the field. Rodriguez has stated that professional psychology helped him overcome a tough first season in New York. “It’s not clear if mental training improves performance on the field; what evidence we do have relies more on personal anecdotes than hard data.”
Can sports psychology be capable of in fact making a player, play better, even if being one of the best? I don’t believe there is an actual answer. Well, first the actual definition of sport psychology is the study of the psychological and mental factors that influence and are influenced by participation and performance in sport, exercise, and physical activity, and the application of the knowledge gained through this study to everyday settings, as stated in www.wcupa.edu. Like we have previously discussed in class, science is always changing, as well as always being provided wrong. Therefore saying science is what you want it to be, as well as psychology, basically going back to a pervious statement, if I think I can, I can. “In fact, mental-skills coach can build career from a dramatic success stories rather than worrying about consistent results. Actually even most sport psychologist can’t really explain, or prove their work rationally.
Sports psychology, to my understanding is basically teaching not only the player but the team how to play together, as well as respect each other, for there full cooperation. “Mental trainers push their clients to develop systematic ‘performance routines,’ including relaxation breaths, focusing exercises, and self- talk.” Also the player, has to get in the right mind set, such as imaging, the player is to picture themselves performing the sport in his mind, correctly, as well as how that may feel after accomplishing it correctly. One of the main things sports psychology teaches in self confidence, and motivation; which in my view that’s all that is needed.
“Prominent sports psychologists get praised for their successes and don’t get grief for their failures.” “Misel has a simple explanation for theses less-impressive case studies. ‘ We’re only as good as the people we work with,’ he told the Los Angeles Times.” Many scientists believe its fraud, “university researchers have made this point for years.” Back seventeen years ago leading sports Ronald Smith argued that his field had entered an “age of accountability”, which to this day still hasn’t really sprouted yet. “The distinction between superstition and sports psychology turns out to be rather narrow.”
“Given the power of the placebo effect”, I believe that sports psychology is all what your mind has the power to do. And just like when you learn anything, your mind chooses to obtain the material and use it when necessary.
What is psychology? Do you believe in psychology? What about sports psychology? Is it possible that if you keep a positive attitude, after a few screw ups that you may possible create a wining streak, becoming almost perfect. It sounds a bit like that childhood story we all know, where the little train says “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can” and eventually does. Getting back on track, does sports psychology actually work?
There was an article written by Daniel Engber in slate www.slate.com/id/2146635 about sports psychology, and how it is more popular than ever, but does it really work? Well Daniel goes to state that Alex Rodriguez a New York Yankee, made five throwing errors and went hitless in 10 straight at-bats, then all next week goes flawless in the field. Rodriguez has stated that professional psychology helped him overcome a tough first season in New York. “It’s not clear if mental training improves performance on the field; what evidence we do have relies more on personal anecdotes than hard data.”
Can sports psychology be capable of in fact making a player, play better, even if being one of the best? I don’t believe there is an actual answer. Well, first the actual definition of sport psychology is the study of the psychological and mental factors that influence and are influenced by participation and performance in sport, exercise, and physical activity, and the application of the knowledge gained through this study to everyday settings, as stated in www.wcupa.edu. Like we have previously discussed in class, science is always changing, as well as always being provided wrong. Therefore saying science is what you want it to be, as well as psychology, basically going back to a pervious statement, if I think I can, I can. “In fact, mental-skills coach can build career from a dramatic success stories rather than worrying about consistent results. Actually even most sport psychologist can’t really explain, or prove their work rationally.
Sports psychology, to my understanding is basically teaching not only the player but the team how to play together, as well as respect each other, for there full cooperation. “Mental trainers push their clients to develop systematic ‘performance routines,’ including relaxation breaths, focusing exercises, and self- talk.” Also the player, has to get in the right mind set, such as imaging, the player is to picture themselves performing the sport in his mind, correctly, as well as how that may feel after accomplishing it correctly. One of the main things sports psychology teaches in self confidence, and motivation; which in my view that’s all that is needed.
“Prominent sports psychologists get praised for their successes and don’t get grief for their failures.” “Misel has a simple explanation for theses less-impressive case studies. ‘ We’re only as good as the people we work with,’ he told the Los Angeles Times.” Many scientists believe its fraud, “university researchers have made this point for years.” Back seventeen years ago leading sports Ronald Smith argued that his field had entered an “age of accountability”, which to this day still hasn’t really sprouted yet. “The distinction between superstition and sports psychology turns out to be rather narrow.”
“Given the power of the placebo effect”, I believe that sports psychology is all what your mind has the power to do. And just like when you learn anything, your mind chooses to obtain the material and use it when necessary.
