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Division 47 Giveaway-athon Many years ago, perhaps spurred on by John F. Kennedy's rousing inaugural address exhortation to "ask what you can do for your country," former APA President George Miller set the discipline thinking by issuing the challenge to "give psychology away to the public." In the intervening years, it appears that all too few psychologists and psychological organizations have heeded George's admonition. We are proud that Division 47 has taken this concept to heart. The idea was formed in San Francisco during the annual convention of the American Psychological Association (APA) when Judy Van Raalte (past-president) was riding back to her hotel in a cab. She smilingly asked the cabbie, "What is it like to have thousands of psychologists here in San Francisco?" "They're lousy tippers," came the curt reply. Judy said that she wished the field could make a better impression on such a wonderful city but changing tipping habits seemed unlikely. Perhaps there was something else that could be offered. And so the idea of a Sport Psychology Giveaway-athon was born. The plan was simple - give something back to the convention city by sending some of the world's best sport psychology professionals (conference attendees, presenters, and keynote speakers) out into the local community. Give sport psychology away via free workshops, lectures, and presentations. The first Giveaway-athon was scheduled for the 2003 Convention in Toronto. The specter of the SARS virus affected attendance at that Convention, but the Giveaway-athon survived. Andrew Berns and Rob Fazio introduced a group of children campers to sport psychology; Ken Ravizza delivered a workshop to area sport coaches (organized by Judy Goss and Sue Kitchen) that was received very enthusiastically. All workshop participants also received information regarding the availability of sport psychology consultants in the Toronto area to assist them in their own networking. Division 47's second annual sport psychology Giveaway-athon was held during convention in Hawaii. A number of Hawaiian contacts, some of who also became presenters, helped ease the challenges faced by mainlanders working in an unfamiliar culture. The second Giveaway-athon reached nearly three times as many groups as the first event held in Toronto. Keynote speaker, Dan Gould, met with University of Hawaii coaches. Other presentations were made in a church, on the courts, and in boathouses. Elite athletes preparing for upcoming competitions, weekend warriors, exercisers, and coaches all benefited from the presentations. Presenters worked with coaches, paddlers, runners, sailors, and tennis players. Judy Van Raalte, said that she was thrilled with the results of the second annual Giveaway-athon event. "The local exercisers, athletes, and coaches seemed to really enjoy participating. Of course, it was a delight to be able to send some of our best speakers out into the community. I guess I wasn't surprised by the great reaction from all but I was pleased. It takes a lot of work to plan these events. Each presenter planned his or her own event with the help of strong local contact and assistance." Van Raalte was quick to mention the hard work put in by Emily Claspell and Claudio Nigg who both live in Hawaii. Other sport psychology Giveaway-athon presenters included Britt Brewer, Roland Carlstedt, and Jessica Mohler. Van Raalte said that the Giveaway-athon was a win-win situation all the way around. Local coaches, exercisers, and athletes got to enjoy presentations such as "Mental preparation for enhancing your team's performance," and "Running out of your mind." They have new information about sport and exercise psychology that they can take and use right away. She also noted that the Giveaway-athon presenters benefited, reporting that they enjoyed the local contact and the chance to work with and meet new people. New-found interest in sport and exercise psychology may benefit local practitioners. Academics appreciated the community service and the chance to work with the other Giveaway-athon presenters. Van Raalte said that she hopes to involve even more people in Division 47's Giveaway-athon in Washington, DC in 2005. Interested presenters or people with contacts in the DC area should contact her directly to start planning! A Proficiency in Sport Psychology Why develop a proficiency in sport
psychology? The large and diverse discipline of psychology has only recently begun to recognize the field of sport psychology. Graduate study in applied sport psychology has occurred over the past number of years primarily in departments of kinesiology or physical education. Consequently, many psychologists are unaware of this field and its history, research, and practice. When APA’s Committee for the Recognition of Specialties and Proficiencies in Professional Psychology (CRSPPP) developed a method of recognizing particular areas of expertise as “proficiencies,” Division 47 decided to submit an application for recognition of the field of sport psychology as a proficiency. This decision was designed to accomplish two goals: (1) assist the general public in recognizing the appropriate services and skills of psychologists who describe themselves as “sport psychologists”; (2) assist psychologists in recognizing and understanding the knowledge and skills considered appropriate for psychologists practicing in this particular area of expertise. What does a proficiency in sport psychology mean—and what still needs to happen? In February, 2003, APA’s Council of Representatives approved a proficiency in sport psychology. This designation indicates that sport psychology is now recognized as a particular aspect of psychology practice. The recognition of this designation does not, however, apply at the individual level. A specific mechanism needs to be developed to indicate whether any particular psychologist is considered to be competent as a sport psychologist. A number of potential avenues are being considered, following the Council approval. These include: the development of guidelines for psychologists in sport psychology; the development of an examination in the practice of sport psychology; credential review; and continuing education. Abstract of the proficiency: The abstract, below, is a summary of the key elements of the proficiency approved by CRSPPP. For further information regarding the proficiency, please contact Dr. Ed Etzel, Chair of the Education Committee of Division 47, @ Edward.etzel@mail.wvu.edu. Abstract of the Proficiency Sport Psychology Brief Description Sport psychology is a multi-disciplinary field spanning psychology, sport science, and medicine. The APA Proficiency recognizes specialization in sport psychology as a post-graduate specialization after a doctoral degree in one of the primary areas of psychology. The Proficiency encompasses training in psychological skills of athletes, in the well being of athletes, in the systemic issues associated with sports organizations, and in developmental and social aspects of sports participation. (The Proficiency should not be confused with the doctoral degree area of sport psychology, which has a long tradition within departments of sports science and kinesiology.)
Specialized knowledge required for the Proficiency
In addition to the foundation of competencies required for licensure, it is recommended that psychologists who desire to gain this Proficiency obtain sport-specific educational experiences in the following areas:
Persons and Groups Served by the Proficiency
Those who are served by the APA Proficiency in Sport Psychology include:
Problems and Challenges Addressed by the Proficiency The APA Proficiency in Sport Psychology addresses two critical challenges in the field. First, it provides protection to the public. Uniform standards for proficiency in this area, that include both an examination to demonstrate knowledge in the field and extensive supervision, help to insure that those seeking services are receiving them from qualified individuals. Athletes, coaches, parents, administrators and others will be able to turn to a recognized set of standards to evaluate the training of psychologists offering services in sport psychology. The problem addressed by the Proficiency is to assist current psychologists and those in training who are interested in the field, in obtaining proper training and experience to practice sport psychology. As a recognized proficiency within psychology, the Sport Psychology Proficiency provides a model for appropriate training in the field.
Procedures of Practice Employed
Many strategies and procedures exist within the field of sport psychology for
addressing the problems faced by athletes and sports participants.
Some of the principal areas include:
The Division collaborates with the U.S.
Olympic Committee to generate a registry of sport psychologists
who can assist olympic athletes. The Division also is working with
the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to clarify the
ways in which sport psychologists can serve collegiate athletes.
Running Psychologists, a section of the Division, sponsors an annual
5-km race at the Annual American Psychological Association (APA)
Convention, which is open to any attendee. |
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Last updated on February 08, 2007
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