Psychology and Soccer

It has long been recognized that physical components are not enough to make athletes excel in their fields. One of the latest concepts being applied to enhance the performances in sports is called cognitive psychology – the study of brain mechanisms or human mental processes in relation to the way we perceive things, feel about things, solve problems, and the probable root cause of our behavior.

This paper will contain a detailed ten hour soccer team training plan and discuss the relationship of cognitive psychology to athletes’ over-all performance focusing mainly on the information processing model of Whiting, Welford, and Schmidt. The contribution of cognitive psychology to enhancing the players’ understanding and performance levels, the application of different theoretical approaches to a variety of sporting situations and the use of theory to enhance individual and team performance, specifically in soccer, will be explored.

» Read more: Psychology and Soccer

Related posts

The Psychology of the Abuser

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, domestic violence is the willful intimidation, assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior perpetrated by an intimate partner against another. It is an epidemic affecting individuals in every community, regardless of age, economic status, race, religion, nationality or educational background. Violence against an intimate is often accompanied by emotionally abusive and controlling behavior, and thus is part of a systematic pattern of dominance and control. Domestic violence results in physical injury, psychological trauma, and sometimes death. The consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and truly last a lifetime!

The first homicide ever recorded was in the book of Genesis found in the story of Able and Cain. The senseless murder was a tragic account of human destruction, where one innocent life was wasted at the hands of a violent and misdirected young man. How to often that same scenario is played out over and over again, in our homes, neighborhoods and cities. Of course jealousy was the motive behind this particular incident; however the mentality of those who abuse is far more complex than one single emotion.

» Read more: The Psychology of the Abuser

Related posts

Psychology of Relationships – Does Conflict Affect Men More Than Women?

Men and women react differently to many situations in life. Getting over and dealing with conflict in a relationship is no different. The psychological differences between men and women may help us understand why we react differently. If you are married or in a relationship there will be arguments at various times. Conflict does not have to be life changing but what does make it harder to deal with is if the two partner’s ways of dealing with conflict don’t mesh well. Marriage counseling is one way to deal with conflict resolution solutions, and even those not married will sometimes go to relationship counselors for help. What you hopefully will get out of relationship counseling is the ability to understand how your partner thinks when dealing with arguments.

The National Institute of Mental Health at one point funded a huge social study that displayed how most couples who had been together for only a few months and were between the ages of 18 and 21 would avoid being dependant on their partner and also avoided too much intimacy (which might result in dependence). This group also showed signs of anxiety when faced with rejection or abandonment, although there were different degrees of anxiety levels. Those who were more personally secure within themselves had lower levels of stress, which is to be expected. The more secure and independent you are with yourself the less abandonment will affect you. Others reacted differently to the tests as well, depending on how they naturally handled anxiety and thoughts on abandonment.

» Read more: Psychology of Relationships – Does Conflict Affect Men More Than Women?

Related posts