The Social Psychology of Exercise and Sport

Preface
Introduction

Part I: The Social Psychology of Exercise
Social Psychology, exercise and health
Attitudes and Intentional Theories of Exercise
From Exercise Intention to behaviour and beyond
Exercise and the Physical Self

Part II: The Social Psychology of Sport
Social Psychology and Innovation in Sport
Athletes are emotional too
Group Processes in Sport
Aggression and Crowd Violence
Conclusions
Index.

This new textbook examines the role that social psychology has in the explanation of exercise and sport behaviour. It devotes considerable attention to key social psychological issues within the two disciplines; health-related exercise behaviour and the behaviour of competitive sport participants and the spectators of elite sport.

Rather than presenting a broad, superficial overview of diverse areas in exercise and sport, the book focuses on a range of selected topics and provides a comprehensive, in-depth and analytical coverage using social psychology as a framework. It thoroughly examines how social psychological research and intervention has contributed to the understanding of key topics in exercise and sport behaviour including:

• The social psychology of exercise and health
• Social cognitive theories of exercise behaviour
• Exercise and the physical self
• Eating disorders in exercise and sport
• Emotion and mood in athletes
• Social psychology and motivation in sport
• Group processes in sport
• Aggression and crowd violence

The Social Psychology of Exercise and Sport is key reading for undergraduate and postgraduate students on social or sport psychology courses and on health-related or sports science courses. Illustrated throughout with practical guidelines for researchers and practitioners, it is also a valuable resource for professionals interested in understanding and changing the behaviour of exercise participants and athletes.