Canadian Positive Psychology Conference 2014 · Matthew Scholes, What is Positive psychology?...
Transcript of Canadian Positive Psychology Conference 2014 · Matthew Scholes, What is Positive psychology?...
Canadian Positive Psychology Conference
2014 Successfully Infusing Positive Psychology
into School Sporting Programs
Matthew Scholes,
What is Positive psychology?
Positive Psychology is “the scientific study of optimal human functioning that aims to discover and promote the factors that allow individuals and communities to flourish (Boniwell, 2006)
ie Positive Psychology focuses on growing
peoples strengths.
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Why do we need Positive Psychology at school?
Positive Psychology can help wire the brains of your students for resilience and optimism
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Why should we worry about the resilience & wellbeing of our students? By building the resilience, optimism and confidence of your students you not only improve their performance you will also help them cope with life's pressures better. • 26% of Australian 16 – 24 year olds experienced a mental
disorder in the previous 12 months (Australian Bureau of Statistics)
• 10-20% of Canadian youth are affected by a mental illness or disorder & 20% of Canadians will personally experience a mental illness in their lifetime (Canadian Mental Health Association).
• 26.2% of Americans ages 18 and older suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year (National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) ).
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Why is sport an effective pathway for teaching resilience and optimism
in our students?
Because we have so many opportunities to frame the students thinking around failure.
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How do we bring in Positive Psychology into our school sporting
program?
Using “Positive Sports Coaching”
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What is Positive Sports Coaching? Positive Sports Coaching is a strengths based approach built
around the science of positive psychology.
Three main focus’ for Positive Sports Coaching program
1. Increased focus on Positives to overcome negativity bias
2. Great emphasis on Strengths and Strength development
3. Building Optimistic mindsets
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Examples of organisations that are using Positive Sports Coaching
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International, Federal and State Bodies
Professional Sporting Organisations and Clubs
Corporates and Schools
Optimism and Sport
SUCCESS = TALENT + DESIRE
THIRD ELEMENT
OPTIMISM
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Optimism
A number of studies have been conducted linking “mind-set” to sporting performance. (Seligman et al Berkley Swimming study 1990, Peterson et al
1995)
Athletes with an Optimistic mindset will generally explain their negative performances as
External
Unstable
Specific
Athletes with a Pessimistic mindset will generally explain their negative performances as
Internal
Stable
Global
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Positive Sports Coaching Wheel
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Positive Athlete Interaction Diamond
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How do we create a Positive School Sports Program?
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What is the process for introducing the Positive Sports Coaching
approach??
Two approaches have been used in schools.
1) INSIDE OUT MODEL
2) OUTSIDE IN MODEL
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INSIDE OUT APPROACH
PARENTS
ALL STUDENTS
ALL COACHES
KEY TEAMS
Players & Coaches
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OUTSIDE IN APPROACH
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ALL Staff
Parents
Coaches
Students
CASE STUDY
St Peter’s College , Adelaide, Australia
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YEAR GROUPS TRAINED
2011 1st Football Team – 4 coaches, 25 players 1st Soccer Team – 3 coaches, 15 players
2012 Coaches across 7 sports – 27 coaches Student sports leaders Years 7 -12 – 30 students All students years 7 – 12 – 300+ students Parents – 150+ parents
2011 Pilot Study – athletes
Presented at the Australian Psychological Society College of Educational and Developmental Psychologists National Conference, Melbourne 2011. - Waters, Scholes, White
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Athlete’s positive emotions improved considerably, 37 to 41.7, on a
50 point scale (increase of 9.4%).
Pilot Study : Athletes quotes Presented at the Australian Psychological Society College of Educational and Developmental Psychologists
National Conference, Melbourne 2011. - Waters, Scholes, White
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Has helped me to
turn my nerves into excitement
I am more enthusiastic about
training and playing hard
The coaches were more positive with
us after being trained
Made me less nervous and scared before Intercols,
now feel excited and keen
ATHLETE
2012 Pilot Study – coaches
Presented at the 2013 3rd World congress of Positive Psychology, Los Angeles, CA, USA . – Scholes, Waters, Pitt
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T-test analyses revealed significant increases in positive affect and coaching confidence.
Pilot Study : Coaches Presented at the 2013 3rd World congress of Positive Psychology, Los Angeles, CA, USA . – Scholes, Waters, Pitt
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Encouraged me to
look more closely at my coaching
Gave me skills to feel more confident in
the way I coach and manage my team
Built my self esteem. Feel more confident
as a coach
Focusing on the positives made me realise the
opportunities for learning I was missing
COACH
2013 School Team Performance
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SPORT 2010 2011 2012 2013
Football LOST LOST LOST WON
Soccer LOST LOST LOST WON
Badminton WON WON WON WON
Rugby LOST WON WON WON
Table tennis WON WON WON WON
Tennis LOST LOST WON LOST
Basketball LOST LOST WON WON
Cricket WON LOST LOST WON
Hockey LOST LOST LOST LOST
HOW CAN YOU HELP YOUR STUDENTS?
• Look at “what went well” first • Know their strengths • Look for things they do well • Encourage and show gratitude • Give specific and real feedback • Process praise • Identify and celebrate achievements • Ask them the 5 best things they did that day/week • Consistently use the PSC Wheel for feedback • Create a Positive Organisation
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