Some RIC students are gaining new insight into the minds of athletes like Tom Brady, LeBron James and Serena Williams.
“Introductory Readings in Sports Psychology” is a new, 1 credit course being offered during the current Early Spring Session at RIC.
RIC Associate Professor of Psychology George Ladd created the course to help students understand the science behind concepts such as focus, resilience and goal setting that help make an athlete successful. “I’ve always been interested in how athletes motivate themselves and stay committed to preparation and training that can be painful and require great sacrifice,” said Ladd, who is also a former college athlete. “These aren’t necessarily attributes they are born with but traits that they learn and develop over time.”
The course holds particular appeal for students with a background in recreational or school sports. “Students find it interesting that they can use principles of psychology to increase performance, improve coaching or deal effectively with stress and anxiety,” said Ladd.
However, he emphasized that sports psychology has applications beyond athletics. “People struggling with their body weight, for example, need to find ways to exercise and manage their health and to monitor and regulate their behaviors,” said Ladd. “Sports psychology can offer support to people with many health behaviors or to any endeavors that require goal setting and motivation.”
Like many Early Spring Session courses, “Introductory Readings in Sports Psychology” is being taught online. “The biggest advantage for the students is convenience,” said Ladd. “They are completing course readings and assignments at home on their own schedule during the three-week session.”
Based on the feedback and interest in his course, Ladd hopes to develop a 3 or 4 credit sports psychology course in the future. “My goal for this course is that it will stimulate interest in the topic and get students thinking about psychology in a new, applied way,” he said.
Thirty-six courses were offered during the Early Spring Session. Regular Spring Session courses begin on Tuesday, Jan. 19.