Part 1: Why Study Competition?

• Why Study Competition? 

  • Underlies almost all areas in sport psychology: 
  • ===> competition is a very significant part of the social environment (E from the  B = P x E  formula)
• Why Study Competition? 

  • Competition is what separates sport from other PA 
  • Competitive stress - as is the key issue/psychological difference 
  • Know gonna be judged by other people, can influence performance - which can create stress, & may result in you performing poorly
• Why Study Competition? 

  • Competition has a direct and indirect impact on all psychological skills needed for performance (eg., competitive anxiety; motivation [Outcome goal orientation])
  • Ego outcome is essentially competition 
  • To see if good enough, have to win
• Why Study Competition? 

  • The competitive element of sport elicits intense psychological reactions from participants & spectators (eg.  stress/anxiety, aggression, excitement, depression...)
  • Competition is a part of life
• Why Study Competition? 

  • The competitive element of sport elicits intense psychological reactions from participants & spectators (eg.  stress/anxiety, aggression, excitement, depression...)
  • Importance placed on outcome is from what we perceive its importance to be 
  • We place the importance on sport/outcome, creating these reactions
  • Can have real world implications (such as money)