Movie/TV/real Life Assignment. Psychology Movie Review

Course Description;
This course examines SPORT by applying psychological theory and research to the many different domains of SPORTS.
Movie/TV/real Life Assignment
Instructions
The application paper is designed to give you the opportunity to analyze the use of psychological skills in a movie, TV show, or real life experience based on your knowledge of Sport and Exercise Psychology.  For each section of the class (Enhancing Health and Well-Being, Enhancing Performance, and Enhancing Sport and Exercise Environments) you will choose ONE (1) of the topics covered in class and discuss how that skill is portrayed in a movie, or TV show, or real life situation.  
Your paper will be based on that major topic.  Once you have chosen a topic I'd like you to choose a movie, TV show, or real life situation and discuss how that topic was portrayed, discussed, or shown in that movie, TV show, or situation.  For example, for this paper you might choose a TV show or movie that deals with weight loss and exercise adherence (The Biggest Loser for example) and then discuss how the show deals with exercise adherence.  Then you would compare that to what we discuss in class, etc.
Basically these papers give you an opportunity to show me that you understand the topics well enough to discuss them and analyze how they are shown in a "real life" situation.  If you can tell me what they did right and what could have been done differently, and discuss how their portrayal of the topic compares to what we discussed in class then I know you really understand the topic.
One final note.  You do NOT need to discuss EVERY aspect of the topic you choose.  For example, if you choose exercise adherence you don't necessarily have to discuss how the movie, TV show, or real life situation addresses every part of the exercise adherence module.  Simply choose the parts that make the most sense to discuss and do a thorough job of that.  Of course, being thorough means choosing more than just one part of the topic to discuss; you'll want to be more detailed than that.
The topics would be: (Please choose and write only ONE from following two topic)
1. Personality in Sports (The Iceberg Profile, applying personality to sport and exercise settings)
*Notes from class about Iceberg:
Personality and Performance
A tremendous amount of time and money has been invested in trying to identify links between personality and performance. In fact, many professional sport organizations use personality tests and other tools (e.g., interviews) to project the success of prospective players. The validity of such methods has been debated, and there is still little evidence of a direct connection between personality and performance.
Despite the equivocal results of research connecting personality with performance, one interesting case has emerged: the Iceberg Profile. Morgan (1979) was able to identify a profile of elite athletes using the Profile of Mood States (POMS). POMS assesses people on six characteristics (tension, depression, anger, vigour, fatigue, and confusion), and Morgan was able to identify a unique profile for elite athletes.
The Iceberg Profile
Source: Morgan, W. (1979). Coach, athlete and the sport psychologist. University of Toronto School of Physical and Health Education: Toronto.
The Iceberg Profile suggests that elite athletes score below the norm on all traits with the exception of vigour, on which they score well above the norm. The "iceberg" look of the profile comes from the large peak in vigour, suggesting that elite athletes are full of vigour. Less successful athletes tend to have much lower scores on vigour while scoring higher on other negative traits.
While these results are promising, most sport psychology professionals agree that the Iceberg Profile (and other personality tests) should not be used to predict performance or select team members. Rather, they should be used to identify strengths and weaknesses and to develop training programs for athletes.
2. Exercise Adherence (List the most common excuses for not exercising; Identify the benefits of exercise; Describe the various theories of exercise behavior; Draw the Transtheoretical Model and define its stages; Identify strategies for increasing exercise adherence
*Notes from class about exercise adherence: Theories of Exercise Adherence
One of the best ways to identify methods to increase exercise adherence is to consider several different theories of exercise behaviour. Each of these theories provides information about people’s exercise behaviour as well as considerations for increasing adherence. Specifically, these theories can be used to predict the likelihood that a person will change his/her behaviour and begin exercising and identify ways to increase exercise adherence. Therefore, as we cover each theory, we will focus on the following questions:
• What are the factors that influence exercise behaviour according to this theory?
• How might you use this theory to predict if a person will change his/her behaviour?
• How would you use this theory to increase exercise adherence?
We will cover three commonly used theories here; however, please review pages 421–427 of your textbook for more detailed descriptions of all the theories.
Expectancy Value Theory
• What are the factors that influence exercise behaviour according to this theory?
• Expectations (confidence): A person’s exercise behaviour is based on his confidence in his ability to change. 
• Value: A person will only change her behaviour if she values the change. In order to change, people need to see value in the new behaviour.
• How might you use this theory to predict if a person will change his/her behaviour?
• When assessing the likelihood of change, the Expectancy Value Theory suggests you look at the individual’s confidence and the value they see in the change. A person will only change her behaviour when she thinks she will get something of value from the change and she believes she has the ability to make the change. 
• How would you use this theory to increase exercise adherence?
• According to this theory, you can increase exercise adherence by enhancing the individual’s confidence and showing him/her that there is great value in making this change.
The Theory of Planned Behaviour
• What are the factors that influence exercise behaviour according to this theory?
• Attitude: How a person feels about a specific behaviour is a major determinant in his/her actions.
• Subjective norms: We are all influenced by other people’s behaviours and opinions. When we see other people engaging in a behaviour and supporting that behaviour, we are much more likely to participate as well.
• Perceived behavioural control (confidence): Similar to the Expectancy Value Theory, confidence is a key component of behaviour change in this theory as well.
• How might you use this theory to predict if a person will change his/her behaviour?
• When assessing the likelihood of change, this theory suggests that you look at the individual’s attitude toward the behaviour as well as his/her environment. If the individual has positive feelings about the behaviour and are in a supportive environment, he/she is likely to change. In addition, you must also assess the individual's confidence in his/her ability to change.
• How would you use this theory to increase exercise adherence?
• According to this theory, behaviour change can occur if you can get people to have a positive attitude about a change and surround them with supportive individuals. It is much easier to quit smoking or eat healthy when the people closest to you support you and engage in the change with you. Finally, behaviour change can be initiated with an increase in confidence.)
IMPORTANT:::::::::
Your papers MUST be written in the following FORMAT. Any papers that do not follow this format WILL NOT be accepted and you will receive a 0 on the project. 
 
Paragraph 1: A very brief one-paragraph summary of the movie, TV show, or real life situation. For a movie or TV show, it should only be a few lines (no more than 10). Assume I have seen the movie or show so just remind me what it is about. For a real life situation you can give a little more detail but please be brief. 
 
The rest of your paper should address the topic that is covered in the movie, TV show, or situation. Identify the topic and then describe how it was shown in the movie, show, or situation. Be sure to compare what you saw in the movie, show, or situation to what was covered in class and the textbook. For example, if you choose confidence as a topic, discuss how confidence affected people in the movie, show, or situation and then discuss how that is similar or different from what we have learned in class about confidence. Show me that you understand the course material and can use that knowledge to analyze how the movie, show, or situation depicts it.   
 
For each paper you will choose one topic, you should be sure to address the following questions: 
 
· Explain the use of the topic in the movie, show, or situation (you do not have to address EVERY scene in which they show the mental skill but please make sure you are thorough).  
· Present a critique of both appropriate and inappropriate strategies shown or used as they relate to the topic.  
· Identify what you would do differently in working with the team, athlete, or individual portrayed in the movie, show, or situation.  
· Address implications for your own field. For example, how would you apply what you have learned from the movie, show, or situation (and class) to develop this same mental skill (e.g., goal setting) in your field?
· Be sure to use appropriate references and include a reference page at the end of the paper. 
 
Grading: 
You will be graded on their paper based on the following criteria: 
                                    Summary of movie or situation          5  marks 
                                    Discussion/analysis of topic                20 marks 
                                    Connection to course material            20 marks 
                                    Spelling, Grammar, and Flow             5 points 
                                                                                                Total: 50 marks 
Thank you!