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Unit outline_

PSYC4731: Psychology of Peak Performance

Semester 1, 2020 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The Psychology of Peak Performance draws on theories and models of sport, performance and positive psychology and applies these to use in executive, workplace and personal coaching practice. Topics covered include flow, mental toughness, mental readiness, concentration enhancement strategies and techniques, rehearsal and debrief strategies, thriving under pressure, self-coaching, overcoming setbacks, performance protocols, focusing, and surviving success. In addition the unit covers issues related to high performing teams and groups. Issues of work/life balance are also addressed, particularly in relation to the management of optimal energy levels (avoiding burnout). There is emphasis on both theoretical understanding and personal practice. The experiential learning component requires students to evaluate each week's topic in relation to their own personal life experience and to participate in group discussion and coaching practice.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Psychology Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
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None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Sean O'Connor, sean.oconnor@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Sean O'Connor, sean.oconnor@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Case study
Case reflection
50% Week 07
Due date: 13 Apr 2020 at 23:00

Closing date: 27 Apr 2020
3000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Presentation Oral poster presentation
Development and presentation of a personal change project
20% Week 10
Due date: 21 May 2020 at 23:00

Closing date: 04 Jun 2020
8 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
In-semester test Exam
Multiple choice, short answer and longer answer questions
30% Week 13
Due date: 28 May 2020 at 16:00

Closing date: 01 Jun 2020
1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Assessment summary

  • Case study: This will take the form of an essay related to a peak performance case study of your choosing. Please ensure that you follow the guidelines for written work, which are detailed in the PSYC 4721 Handbook as well as most other coaching handbooks additional information is available on LMS. You will lose marks if you do not follow the guidelines. In general, essays for coaching
    psychology should have four key sections, Abstract, Introduction, Discussion and Conclusion. Use these separate headed sections and additional sub-headings. You may wish to use other reference
    material in addition to the provided annotated bibliography.
  • Oral presentation: This will take the form of a short (5-7 minute) poster presentation on your attempts to develop mental toughness. The presentation will be delivered in-class, as part of a Peak Performance Symposium. You will be marked according to the quality of your poster’s content, its visual presentation & the clarity of your oral presentation.
  • Exam: This exam will be in-class and a closed-book exam. The exam will be testing your ability to understand and integrate the taught psychological theory with the ethical and professional practice (ICF) of coaching and will take the form of short answer, long answer and multiple choice questions.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
- 1. Subject overview; 2. Introduction to the psychology of peak performance; 3. Self determination theory; a theory of optimal performance; 4. Peak performance; key conceptual models Seminar (7.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
1. Getting in the zone: Ideal performance states; 2. Mental skills training I: Goal setting, self-talk & relaxation; 3. Mental skills training II: Imagery & concentration enhancement Seminar (7.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
1. Acting in the moment: Mindfulness & self-regulation; 2. What makes a high performer? Attributes & characteristics; 3. Getting energised for performance: Motivation Seminar (7.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
1. Dealing with the whole person: Sleep, recovery & other considerations; 2. Doing well together: Peak performance in groups & teams; 3. Fluctuating fortunes: Dealing with setbacks & success Seminar (7.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
1. Catch up and review; 2. Peak performance oral symposium Seminar (7.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: Due to the exceptional circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, attendance requirements for this unit of study have been amended. Where online tutorials/workshops/virtual laboratories have been scheduled, students should make every effort to attend and participate at the scheduled time. Penalties will not be applied if technical issues, etc. prevent attendance at a specific online class. In that case, students should discuss the problem with the coordinator, and attend another session, if available.
  • Referencing: All written work must conform to APA style. Please ensure that you follow APA referencing style. Dr Mark Plonsky of the University of Wisconsin has produced an excellent webpage on using APA style in psychology. You can find this at www.uwsp.edu/psych/apa4b.htm. We strongly recommend you visit it. For further information see www.apastyle.org or any good book about writing reports for Psychology. All students must ensure that their referencing in written assignments follow APA style – if you do not follow APA style you will lose marks. Information on APA style can be found on the Coaching Psychology Unit web site.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate a basic understanding of peak performance psychology, key theories and principles
  • LO2. demonstrate an understanding of key techniques use in performance psychology
  • LO3. critically evaluate current peak performance research and its practical applications
  • LO4. construct coherent models of peak performance for the purpose of meeting specific client needs
  • LO5. apply the taught theories and techniques to a wide range of coaching client issues.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Student feedback and Unit of Study Surveys are used to improve teaching and learning outcomes.

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

 

General Laboratory Safety Rules

  • No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances
  • A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory
  • Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories
  • In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door
  • First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory
  • As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.