This glossary presents key terms commonly used in sports psychology to get a better understanding of the field.
anxiety
noun
A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.
Example: I decided to focus on time management and prioritization as tools to overcome my ANXIETY.
fr: anxiété
body language
noun
The process of communicating nonverbally through conscious or unconscious gestures and movements.
Example: Boys' groups have a hierarchy with leaders who can be identified by their superior or assertive talk and body language, and each boy hustles for status in the group.
fr: langage corporel
burnout
noun
Physical or mental collapse caused by overwork or stress.
Example: An extreme stress response is burnout, in which the workers can no longer function effectively.
fr: épuisement professionnel
confidence
noun
A feeling of self-assurance arising from one's appreciation of one's own abilities or qualities.
Example: Although apparently seeming totally selfless it can also encourage a sense of pride and self-confidence leading to a further increase in the will to work hard.
fr: confiance
consistency
noun
The achievement of a level of performance that does not vary greatly in quality over time.
Example: Saint Fusion's reliance on its in-housel market at managerial levels is important to guarantee standards and consistency.
fr: consistance
drive
noun
An innate, biologically determined urge to attain a goal or satisfy a need.
Example: Thankfully, America destroyed its stockpiles in 1973 but the drive to research F. tularensis unknown virulence characteristics has never ceased.
fr: motivation
effort
noun
A vigorous or determined attempt.
Example: The manager has to be able to handle the tension between an individual's ability and his perception of the effort needed to achieve the reward.
fr: effort
focus
verb
Pay particular attention to.
Example: Conrad uses characters to focus our attention on problems rather than personalities.
fr: se concentrer
frustration
noun
The feeling of being upset or annoyed, especially because of inability to change or achieve something.
Example: However frustration theory states that aggression is just a dissipation of aroused energy, often taken out on a weaker scape-goat.
fr: frustration
habit
noun
A settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up.
Example: However, not only the food industry should be blamed for the increased obesity in UK, but also a lack of physical activity, and altered eating habit.
fr: habitude
leadership
noun
The action of leading a group of people or an organization.
Example: The consequence of establishment of Natural England would be dependent upon the effectiveness of its leadership.
fr: leadership
mindfulness
noun
A mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.
Example: Mindfulness mediation and the private self.
fr: pleine conscience
motivation
noun
The general desire or willingness of someone to do something.
Example: This traditional safety approach acknowledges that error and unsafe acts arise mostly from behavioral processes such as forgetfulness, inattention, poor motivation, negligence and carelessness.
fr: motivation
performance
noun
The ability to perform.
Example: A work environment is a combination of human factors (e.g. competency of workers, overall performance.
fr: performance
pressure
noun
The feeling of stressful urgency caused by the necessity of doing or achieving something, especially with limited time.
Example: A media campaign may generate the necessary public PRESSURE to influence more authoritative organisations.
fr: pression
resilience
noun
The capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.
Example: As one unable to look to others for support she is forced to draw on her inner-resilience.
fr: résilience
routine
noun
A sequence of actions regularly followed; a fixed program.
Example: I think it will take time to get into a ROUTINE, but I'll be alright once I get into the swing of things.
fr: routine
self-talk
noun
Talk or thoughts directed at oneself.
Example: Another demerit of this method is that it is limit to verbal communication and as one of the main components of systematic desensitization is positive self-talk, a mute may not be able to benefit from this treatment.
fr: dialogue intérieur
setbacks
noun
A reversal or check in progress.
Example: However, legal considerations must be done in order to avoid setbacks.
fr: revers
visualization
noun
The formation of a mental image of something.
Example: This visualization is surely very effective and helpful for visitors without archaeological background to interpret the elements, which otherwise would remain largely inexplicable.