Undergraduate Course: Psychology of Physical Activity 3 (SPRT10053)
Course Outline
| School | Moray House School of Education and Sport |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | The physical health benefits of physical activity are well-established. However, a substantial proportion of the population are still inactive, and psychology has a role to play in understanding and changing behaviour. The aim of this course is to examine the psychological determinants and consequences of physical activity. Specifically, the course will draw from current psychological theory and critically examine its contribution to understanding physical activity behaviour. Additionally, the course will consider the relationship between physical activity and mental health. Lecture material will be supplemented with practical activities and seminars. |
| Course description |
Taught from a social-ecological perspective to understanding physical activity behaviour, the first half of the course will consider in detail key motivational theories to behaviour change (e.g., transtheoretical model ) and also consider current developments relating to behaviour change techniques. The second half of the course will focus on the psychological consequences of being physically active, such as influence on mood and mental illness. Throughout the course we will draw from recent research and consider application to practice.
The course will include sessions such as:
Understanding understanding psychological perspectives to physical activity
Theoretical perspectives on physical activity behaviour
A role for behaviour change techniques in physical activity?
Using theory to enhance practice (exercise consultations/motivational interviewing)
Physical activity and mental health
Students will be encouraged to actively participate in interactive discussions and learning activities. Students will be set tasks to guide their reading and engagement with the material. Assignments will further facilitate consideration of the lecture material and how it relates to additional research papers and application.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Any student not enrolled on the BSc Applied Sport Science or a BMedSci intercalated degree programme should contact the Course Organiser before enrolling on the course. Entry to the course is at the discretion of the Course Organiser. |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2021/22, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 21 |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 22,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 10,
Summative Assessment Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
162 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
60 %,
Coursework
40 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Summative assessments:-
Group assignment (presentation) (40%) (LO1, 3 and 4). Drawing from an appropriate psychological theory, design an intervention to change physical activity behaviour in a target population of your choice
Exam (60%) (LO1, 2 and 3)
A mark of 40% or higher is required to pass the course. Compensation is possible between the two components.
Formative assessment:-
A mock exam question will be provided, for which formative individual and group feedback will be provided (LO1, 2 and 3) |
| Feedback |
Informal Feedback - This takes place during teaching, seminars and practicals throughout the semester. Your tutors will comment on your understanding of the ideas covered in the course, and may give you specific advice regarding your progress. Such feedback is intended to help you understand what your strengths and development points are, and to enable you to take informed responsibility for your learning and progression.
Discussion forum - Throughout the course as a whole the students are encouraged to use a discussion forum in LEARN. Any questions posted by students about teaching, learning and assessment are be responded to by the course tutors for everyone to see.
Cohort feedforward - Detailed cohort feed-forward from previous cohorts of students (where available) is provided for all assessments on this course.
Formative Feedback - you will receive formative feedback on a mock essay question.
Summative Feedback - formal feedback will be provided via individual and group feedback for the group assignment and the examination. Individual feedback will be provided in line with the marking criteria. |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
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| Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May) | | 2:00 | |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Explain and evaluate the psychological determinants for participation and non-participation in physical activity and critically evaluate how these relate to physical activity behaviour
- Demonstrate critical understanding of the consequences of physical activity on psychological health
- Examine how psychology is related to current public health physical activity agendas and reflect on own experiences
- Work with others to demonstrate and apply understanding of psychological theory within the context of physical activity
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Reading List
Core texts are listed. Additional reading materials will be identified in learning materials (typically journal articles)
Biddle, S. J. H., Mutrie, N., & Gorely, T. (2015). Psychology of physical activity. 3rd edition. London: Routledge
Hagger, M., & Chatzisarantis, N. (2005). The social psychology of exercise. McGraw-Hill Education
Knowles, A., Shanmugam, V., & Lorimer, R. (2015). Social psychology in sport and exercise: Linking theory to practice. London, Palgrave.
Faulkner, G. & Taylor, A. (2005). Exercise, health and mental health: Emerging relationships, London: Routledge.
Andersen, M. B., & Hanrahan, S. J. (Eds) (2015). Doing exercise psychology. Champaign, Il: Human Kinetics. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
This course addresses several of the graduate attributes developed on the BSc Applied Sport Science degree
RESEARCH AND ENQUIRY
(1) Understand the philosophy of scientific methods of enquiry in order to critically evaluate evidence and analyse research literature.
(2) Search for, access, critically analyse, evaluate and synthesize information from literature in order to answer research questions in sport and exercise sciences.
(3) Interpret data collected or reported in sport, physical activity and exercise studies
(4) Develop logical arguments surrounding issues within sport science, physical activity and exercise
PERSONAL AND INTELLECTUAL AUTONOMY
(5) Be independent learners who can take responsibility for their own learning
(6) Be able to respond to unfamiliar problems by extrapolating their existing knowledge and understanding
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
(7) Be able to communicate clearly using oral and written methods, including posters, presentations, essays, web pages, in order to critique, negotiate, create or communicate understanding
(8) Be able to use communication as a means for collaborating with and relating to others including staff, other students and research participants.
(9) Be able to engage in critical discussion demonstrating listening skills, effective use of evidence and their own experiences to articulate points and defend their own assertions
PERSONAL EFFECTIVENESS
(10) Have developed their organisational, time management and decision-making skills
(11) Be able to work effectively in a team; overcoming and discussing problems and recognising the diversity of contributions different individuals can make to collaborative work
(12) Be able to transfer knowledge and ideas between different contexts within sport, exercise and health
TECHNICAL/PRACTICAL SKILLS
(13) Be able to use the test, measurement and analysis tools appropriate to sport, physical activity and exercise, including for example laboratory or field tests.
(14) Be able to present data and report research findings according to standard scientific conventions |
| Keywords | physical activity,psychology,behaviour change theory,mental health |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Graham Baker
Tel: (0131 6)51 6034
Email: Graham.Baker@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mrs Kaiza Barbour
Tel: (0131 6)51 6571
Email: kaiza.barbour@ed.ac.uk |
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