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The Will to Win

How far would you go?

Psych Basics

Sport and Competition
Athleticism, Sportsmanship

Sports are more than just fun and games. From schoolyard chants to Super Bowl championships, playful competition finds its way into nearly all aspects of culture. Fighting to win draws on cooperation, concentration, coordination, and creativity–things worth striving for in their own right.

Here we offer commentary on why we care who wins, what drives us to go for the goal, and what leads to greatness on the playing field, on the chess board, or in the office. On your marks!



Athletic Performance

Relax, NBA Players Choke Too

What happens when NBA players shoot pressure free throws?

Streaks in Sports and Life: Not for Men Only

Truly mattering means doing one’s best, over and over.

The Neurochemistry of Superstition

Could superstition be making athletes better athletes?

Determination

The Winning Edge

Does grit yield the biggest payoff?

Success: Winners and Losers

The makings of a born winner.

Call of the Ice

Inside the mind of a child athlete.

Latrell Sprewell + Pizza Hut < Intrinsic Motivation

When can rewards backfire?

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Sportsmanship

Victory at Any Cost: The Case of Penn State

The dark side of sports worship

From Steroids to SSRIS: What Do We Really Mean By "Performance-Enhancement?"

Should we broaden the definition of "performance-enhancing" drugs?

Abusing the Referee

Why referees leave the game for good.

Should Football Penalize Celebrating and Taunting?

The case for letting athletes celebrate, taunt, and more.

The Morally Mature Sports Parent

Why Parents Act Like Idiots at their Children's Sporting Events

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The Great Ones

The Greatest Ever? Not So Fast...

Michael Phelps has been beyond great. But the "greatest ever"?

Star Athletes: Where Are They Now?

The postgame hall of fame.

What Makes Athletes Great?

Why some athletes succeed or fail in their chosen fields.

Competition Off the Field

We Are the Champions

Are pep-talks successful beyond the locker room?

The Grandmaster Experiment

How one family produced three female chess queens.

Global Psyche: Aussie Check Mate

When success and power are frowned upon.

Help Wanted: A Team Player

Working well with others is key for nearly every job.

Cooperation vs. Competition: Not an either/or proposition

The unique benefits of cooperation and competition for intrinsic motivation

How to Win American Idol

What does it take to climb the heights of pop stardom?

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Visualization

Visions of Victory

Performance enhancement strategies from a top sports psychologist.

The Truth about Embodied Cognition

Mental practice makes perfect.

Body Think

Solving this primate puzzler involves thinking with body feelings.

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Find a nearby professional for face-to-face help

Sport and Competition Blogs

Sport and Competition Tests

Fitness

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