Performance Psychology

 

Welcome to the Performance Psychology Lab!

Performance Psychology? Sport Psychology? Exercise Psychology? Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology? Are these all the same things or are they different areas? 

The best answer is yes and no. For starters, the goal of the faculty and students involved in the Performance Psychology Lab is to discover, disseminate, and facilitate optimal performance in everyone. Whether you are an exerciser, athlete, soldier, or businessperson, each of us strives to reach our full potential of involvement, performance, and enjoyment.  The topics studied and projects conducted through the Performance Psychology Lab help us better understand apply the fundamentals of performance excellence across domains. To be inclusive of all domains we choose the title Performance Psychology.    Although there are many specific concepts within applied sport and exercise psychology (e.g., goal setting, concentration, motivation, relaxation, imagery), the general goal is to teach mental skills necessary to perform consistently in training and competition, increase adherence to exercise programs, and to help individuals realize their potential.

The Performance Psychology Lab at Western Illinois University is housed in the Department of Kinesiology (Brophy Hall 231) on the Macomb, IL campus. Our undergraduate and graduate sport and exercise psychology curricula focus couples theory with real-world applications. In extending theory and research into the field (applied practice), our lab offers a stimulating mix of theory and applied practice for faculty and students alike.  Look around our site and contact us with any questions!