Sport Psychology, 2nd Edition provides a synthesis of the major topics in sport psychology with an applied focus and an emphasis on achieving optimal performance.

After exploring the history of sport psychology, human motivation, and the role of exercise, there are three main sections to the text: Performance Enhancement, Performance Inhibition, and Individuals and Teams.

The first of these sections covers topics such as anxiety, routines, mental imagery, self-talk, enhancing concentration, relaxation, goals, and self-confidence.

The section on Performance Inhibition includes chapters on choking under pressure, self-handicapping, procrastination, perfectionism, helplessness, substance abuse, and disruptive personality factors.

While much of the information presented is universally applicable, individual differences based on gender, ethnicity, age, and motivation are emphasized in the concluding section on Individuals and Teams.

Throughout, there are case studies of well-known athletes from a variety of sports to illustrate topics that are being explored.

About the Author

Nicholas T. Gallucci is a professor in the Department of Psychology at Western Connecticut State University. He received MA and PhD degrees in psychology at the University of Louisville, and a BA in psychology at Vanderbilt University. His research concerns personality and sport performance, and exercise and weight loss. He enjoys running, played intercollegiate soccer at Vanderbilt, and is a member of the St. Xavier High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

Reviews

"The book is thorough with a very large range of topics covered, some being particularly unique compared to other textbooks. There seems to be an increasing awareness within the field of factors that inhibit performance, rather than a sole focus on performance enhancement, and this new edition captures this shift rather well. Within the performance enhancement chapters that do have some overlap with other textbooks, Professor Gallucci conveys a deeper understanding of the complex issues surrounding these topics, which is a welcome advancement within the field."
- Ian Taylor, Loughborough University, UK, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Science

"I am very surprised and pleased with the way sport psychology is presented in this book. It appears to be a very thorough from an academic standpoint, while at the same time keeping an overall focus on what's relevant to practice. I very much appreciate that this book has a thought-out format for how topics interact and should be addressed in practice. Most books use chapter titles that are issues, constructs, interventions with no organizing philosophy for their inclusion or order. This is a sport psychology book that truly relates to performance."
- Steve Portenga, University of Denver, Sport and Performance Psychology

"This is a well-written book that will be of interest to athletes and coaches interested in improving their understanding of sport psychology and their own psychological approach to sport. Current theory and research in the psychological factors are discussed, and these are explained in a very readable manner."
- Rafael E. Romo, Texas A&M International University, Curriculum and Pedagogy

"I think the material is great; the chapters are thorough, I like the progression in many of the chapters from general information to more sport-specific examples. There is a good balance of theory to application and strong examples to help students see these concepts 'in action' which students often find interesting and helpful."
- Professor Karlene Sugarman, Sport Psychology Program, John F. Kennedy University

Book Information
ISBN 9781848729780
Author Nicholas T. Gallucci
Format Paperback
Page Count 688
Imprint Psychology Press Ltd
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 1276g