Students will be expected to present for 10 minutes, providing an analysis of a case study. The presentation will identify the key psychological constructs relevant to the case, explain the theoretical underpinning of the case, and outline how they would support the athlete or coach based on their analysis. Students will receive formative feedback throughout the module, comprising task-related feedback on a week-by-week basis, together with discussions to encourage peer-learning, in addition to comments from the relevant tutor.

The notion of individual differences between human beings is a cornerstone of classical and modern psychological theory and application. In sport and exercise, understanding how individual differences influence the wellbeing and performance of participants has been a thriving area of research. The measurement and evaluation of individual differences (e.g., through questionnaires, interviews, and other tools) continues to play an important role in research and applied practice.

This module will develop students’ conceptual and historical appreciation of individual differences in the context of psychology, sport, and exercise. Students will learn about core themes in individual differences as applied to sport and exercise, such as the Big Five personality traits, the dark triad, motivation, core beliefs and schema, intelligence, and how these constructs link to cognitive, emotional, and behavioural outcomes in athletes.

1. Demonstrate a clear understanding and appraisal of theories, research, and debates relating to individual differences

Learning Outcome: Knowledge & Understanding, Critical Reasoning & Collaboration

2. Apply analytic principles to the identification and evaluation of psychological constructs relevant to sport and exercise contexts

Learning Outcome: Application & Problem Solving, Critical Reasoning & Collaboration

Students follow a single-semester study programme. Students will learn through a combination of asynchronous lectures, synchronous lectures and webinars. Video lectures will be posted on the virtual learning environment (VLE), and students will be required to view these each week prior to completing the webinar activities, which will then be used to build upon the material presented in the video lectures. In addition, students can access support material via the virtual learning environment (e.g., Blackboard) and Microsoft Teams.

Students are required to access additional support material independently.

Students will learn through a combination of video lectures, independent activities, formative feedback tasks, peer-to-peer discussions, and 1-2-1 tutor support.

Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment

Microsoft Teams

Internet access

Library facilities

Maltby, J., Day, L., & Macaskill, A. (2023). Personality, individual differences and intelligence. Pearson Education.

Individual Differences in Sport and Exercise explores why athletes and exercisers think, feel, and behave differently in performance contexts. You will examine key psychological constructs such as personality, motivation, intelligence, and core beliefs, and how these influence wellbeing and performance. Through applied case studies, you will learn to evaluate individual differences and consider how psychological support can be tailored to the needs of athletes and coaches. This module develops critical thinking and applied skills that underpin future study and practice in sport and exercise psychology.