Sport and Competition

The Importance of Sports

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!

Extreme Range of the Human Spirit Laid Bare at the Olympics

By E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on August 16, 2016 in Black Belt Brain

While we can aspire to Olympic ideals of decorum we often fail to adhere to their real life practice...a short coming not restricted to high performance athletes, of course.

When Sibling Rivalry Goes Awry

By Jennifer Powell-Lunder Psy.D. on August 16, 2016 in Let's Talk Tween

You may remember the days in the not so distant past when you were the envy of friends and family. “Your kids get along so well,” they would gush.

Are Olympians Addicted to Exercise, Work or Neither?

By Mark D. Griffiths Ph.D. on August 16, 2016 in In Excess

Olympic athletes are dedicated to their profession and spend hours every day training and exercising. But are Olympic athletes addicted to exercise, their work, or neither?

Your Child and Sports

By Marty Nemko Ph.D. on August 16, 2016 in How To Do Life

What's a parent to do?

Michael Phelps’ Heroic Journey Goes Far Beyond Gold Medals

By Christopher Bergland on August 15, 2016 in The Athlete's Way

Michael Phelps is the most-decorated Olympian of all time. He's also a role model for sharing intimate details of how he completed the hero's journey after hitting rock bottom.

Michael Phelps, by Thao, Flickr, Creative Commons License

ADHD and Michael Phelps: Medication Is Not a Crutch

By Stephanie Sarkis Ph.D. on August 14, 2016 in Here, There, and Everywhere

Not taking stimulant medication for your diagnosed ADHD? You still have ADHD.

Courtesy of AATA: http://athletesandthearts.com

Athletes and Performing Artists: They're All Around You

By Kate F. Hays Ph.D. on August 13, 2016 in The Edge: Peak Performance Psychology

This is an exciting moment when organizations and structures are increasingly connecting the performance issues and mental skills of both athletes and performing artists.

Agência Brasil Fotografias (Wikimedia Commons)

#PhelpsFace and the Neuroscience of Getting “in the Zone”

By Jordan Gaines Lewis, Ph.D. on August 11, 2016 in Brain Babble

What explains the swimmer's snarling face toward Chad le Clos before Monday's 200m butterfly?

The Struggle and the Triumph of the Olympics

By Michael W. Austin Ph.D. on August 11, 2016 in Ethics for Everyone

One reason we love the Olympics is that we want to see others achieve incredible things, even through seemingly insurmountable challenges.

No Shame: Why Michael Phelps Deserved to Carry the U.S. Flag

By Jason Powers M.D. on August 10, 2016 in Beyond Abstinence

Two years ago, the most decorated Olympian of all time was so mired in depression that he thought about killing himself. His comeback on dry land inspires me the most.

Olympics May Increase Child Prostitution in Rio

By Michael Ungar Ph.D. on August 10, 2016 in Nurturing Resilience

With the Olympics has come more child sexual exploitation. A new film, in development, is focusing attention on what happens to Brazil's child victims when they grow up.

Watching Video Is Great Mental Training

By Jim Taylor Ph.D. on August 10, 2016 in The Power of Prime

Watching videos of yourself and the best athletes in the world in your sport is a powerful tool for strengthening important mental muscles such as confidence, intensity, and focus.

America's Obsession With Winners and Losers

By Ray Williams on August 09, 2016 in Wired for Success

America has an obsession with defining success and happiness by winners and losers. This attitude and behavior permeates everything from sports to politics and business.

Study: The Male Warrior Hypothesis May Be Real

By Christopher Bergland on August 05, 2016 in The Athlete's Way

Why are male athletes more likely to be touchy-feely after a sports competition than their female counterparts? A new study from Harvard University offers some interesting clues.

Inside the Mind of the Olympic Gold Medal Winner

By Raj Persaud, M.D. and Peter Bruggen, M.D. on August 05, 2016 in Slightly Blighty

Some involved in this research pointed out, amazingly, that their gold medal performance was not, in their view, the most outstanding moment in their career.

9 Ways to Convince (or Trick) Yourself to Start Working Out

By Joel Minden, PhD on August 03, 2016 in CBT and Me

If you're having trouble finding the time or energy to exercise, here are some practical strategies to increase exercise behavior and motivation.

3 Things You Can Learn About Yourself From the Way You Play

By Petra Starkova, M.A. on August 02, 2016 in The Worlds Within Our Minds

There's a relationship between the ways we resolve situations in the games we play, and how we deal with situations in real life.

Yes, You Can Do It! Self-Control May Be an Infinite Resource

By Christopher Bergland on July 31, 2016 in The Athlete's Way

Researchers are beginning to question the notion that self-control is a depletable resource. This is good news for anyone looking for inspiration and motivation to seize the day.

Kids’ Sports as a Window Into Human Nature

By Glenn Geher Ph.D. on July 31, 2016 in Darwin's Subterranean World

The dark side of kids’ sports is as dark as human nature gets. Evolutionary psychology can explain why.

Psychology, Learning, and the Serenity Prayer

By Michael Bader D.M.H. on July 30, 2016 in What Is He Thinking?

Tolerate failure in order to succeed.This is true if you golf or play a sport, write, or pretty much do anything that requires learning and mastery. The Serenity Prayer says it all

Rugby Returns to the Games with New Concussion Risk, Respect

By Harry Kerasidis M.D. on July 29, 2016 in Brain Trauma

America's fastest-growing sport, Rugby, returns to the Olympics, bringing inherent concussion risk along with a "healthy respect" for how the game handles concussions.

Better Mindsets, Better Results

By Jim Stone Ph.D. on July 29, 2016 in Clear, Organized and Motivated

Here are 4 mindset shifts that can help us win at life.

Action Sports Photography / Shutterstock

What Dale Earnhardt Jr. Can Teach Auto Accident Survivors

By James F. Zender Ph.D. on July 29, 2016 in The New Normal

Dale Earnhardt Jr. advances public awareness of concussions.

Your Eyes Are a Window Into the Inner Workings of Your Brain

By Christopher Bergland on July 28, 2016 in The Athlete's Way

William Shakespeare is credited with observing, "Eyes are the window to the soul." A new study goes one step farther by showing how your eyes are a window into your brain.

Storming on Bastille Day

By Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on July 25, 2016 in Play in Mind

Sometimes, we learn most when things go haywire.

What Style of Yoga is Best for Your Health?

By Marlynn Wei M.D., J.D. on July 22, 2016 in Urban Survival

New study compares different styles of yoga to answer the question is one yoga style better than another. The answer will surprise you.

For Athletic Success, You Pay Now or Pay Later

By Jim Taylor Ph.D. on July 20, 2016 in The Power of Prime

You’re going to pay for what you do or do not do in your conditioning in one way or another. You can pay now with temporary fatigue and pain or you can pay later in lasting regret.

Life Science Databases/Wikimedia Commons

Epigenetic Mechanism in the Cerebellum Drives Motor Learning

By Christopher Bergland on July 19, 2016 in The Athlete's Way

New research pinpoints how we learn new motor skills such as riding a bicycle, playing the piano, driving a car, etc.

Acceptance and Transformation

By Matthew J Rossano Ph.D. on July 17, 2016 in Seeking Perfection

Should left-handers demand that half the baseball diamond be reversed?

Photo by Bob Sandberg: Wikimedia commons

Play Foul and Fair

By Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on July 14, 2016 in Play in Mind

Rule breakers come in three varieties: the cheater, the spoilsport, and the game changer. We despise the first, we puzzle over the second, and usually, we admire the third.