Goal Posts

Commentary on the complex relationships between motivation, performance, competition, cooperation, and goals.

John Tauer, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Psychology and Assistant Men's Basketball Coach at the University of St. Thomas. See full bio

November 16, 2009

Why Bill Belichick’s Call on 4th and Two Made Patriots Fans Feel Blue

Coach Belichick was merely playing the percentages in an attempt to give his team what he believed (and what statistics support) was their best chance possible to defeat the Indianapolis Colts. Read More

November 10, 2009

Does the sports media propagate irrational beliefs?

In last week's post, I discussed the prevalence of anti-New York Yankee sentiment. Since that blog, the Yankees also managed to win their record 27th World Series. I was amazed by the response by readers - thank you for your passionate comments! In less than one week, that blog generated more comments than any blog I've written over the past five months. Read More

November 3, 2009

What lessons do parents teach their kids when they hate the New York Yankees?

With one exception, everyone I have spoken to has expressed an intense dislike, even hatred, for the vaunted Yankees. Why do people find them so objectionable? One number: $208,097,414. Read More

October 27, 2009

Division III Athletics: Where athletes play to win, play for fun, and are true student-athletes

Once again, I was reminded of the passion for excellence possessed by so many Division III athletes. Yes, they want to have fun and yes they want to make friends, but make no mistake they also want to win and to excel at all that they do. Read More

October 20, 2009

March Madness and October Optimism: The Etiology of Hoop Dreams

Watching our first practice got me to wondering...if this hope and optimism can be such a positive force (see previous Goal Posts for background on hope and learned optimism), what would each day of our lives be like if we could replicate the energy and passion of the first day of practice with our families, our work, our personal growth, and our relationships? What if we could treat every day like college basketball players treat October 15th? Read More

October 12, 2009

I Know I Can’t, I Know I Can’t

Have you ever heard a child say something along the lines of, "I'm terrible at math!" or "I'm stupid"? How about a child who typically performs quite well, but often quits in the face of failure? These statements and actions reflect belief systems that can be crippling to our children. Read More

October 6, 2009

Teaching our kids HOW to think “I think I can”

Last week's post examined the powerful messages of hope and optimism. Sports provides a wonderful forum for teaching our children valuable lessons. There are few things as important to a child's future as hope and optimism, but CAN optimism be learned? Read More

September 28, 2009

I think I can, I think I can: Teaching kids optimism through sports

I began thinking more about the powerful role sports play in our culture. I was struck by how many opportunities I miss where I can talk with my sons Jack and Adam about valuable lessons we can all learn from sports.

September 22, 2009

Cooperation vs. Competition: Not an either/or proposition

Competition is pervasive in our culture, and can be a double-edged sword. Part of the reason team sports are so appealing in our culture is that they provide individuals the opportunity to compete and cooperate at the same time. In a subsequent post, we’ll examine factors that determine when the millions of children who participate in youth sports derive the intended benefits of intergroup competition and when they do not. In the meantime, I’m curious to read examples when you’ve seen children benefit or suffer in team sports, as opposed to individual sports, and why. Read More

September 15, 2009

1st Down and 6 social psychological principles to go for Vikings and Brett Favre

Last week we discussed the fascination fans and media have with Brett Favre. One of the challenges the Vikings will face is how to integrate Favre with the rest of the team members, all of whom participated in training camp. Read More

Sport and Competition Basics

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. That's why sports are more than just fun and games.

Go to the Sport and Competition Basics page for more on Sport and Competition including:

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