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Module PPP-3004:
Born to Run: Achieve your Goal

Born to Run: Achieve your goals 2024-25
PPP-3004
2024-25
School of Psychology & Sport Science
Module - Semester 2
20 credits
Module Organiser: John Parkinson
Overview

This course will cover topics from psychological theory and application that are relevant for marathon preparation. Topics will include:

Expectations and running (including personality type, motivation, performance anxiety, goal setting); Nutrition and running (impact of good nutrition on motivation, mental well-being and self-belief); Emotions and running (the ‘wall’, fear, attributional theories of emotion and bodily sensation); Cognition and running (self-talk, mental imagery, locus of control, distraction, mindfulness); Behaviour and running (action-reflection cycle, flow, effort and reinforcement); Resilience and mental toughness (including dealing with set-backs and failures).

There is an expectation that students will be able to run approx 3-5k comfortably before starting the module and therefore this module will not be suitable for students with physical disabilities or ailments that restrict running ability. Each student will also have to self-certify that they are healthy and well enough to undertake the module, and that they will consult their GP should they feel otherwise. Therefore any heart conditions, epilepsy etc. would need to be considered in line with the module aims by the GP before a student were to sign up. The aim of the module is to train to run a marathon and students should be prepared to do this before starting the module. It is understood that illness/accidents can occur during the course of a module and, if that were to be the case, the student would need to use the psychological principles taught within the module to adapt their goal and overcome disappointment/change in group dynamic etc.

This course will cover topics from psychological theory and application that are relevant for marathon preparation. Topics will include:

Expectations and running (including personality type, motivation, performance anxiety, goal setting); Nutrition and running (impact of good nutrition on motivation, mental well-being and self-belief); Emotions and running (the ‘wall’, fear, attributional theories of emotion and bodily sensation); Cognition and running (self-talk, mental imagery, locus of control, distraction, mindfulness); Behaviour and running (action-reflection cycle, flow, effort and reinforcement); Resilience and mental toughness (including dealing with set-backs and failures).

There is an expectation that students will be able to run approx 3-5k comfortably before starting the module and therefore this module will not be suitable for students with physical disabilities or ailments that restrict running ability. Each student will also have to self-certify that they are healthy and wel enough to undertake the module, and that they will consult their GP should they feel otherwise, before they undertake this training. Therefore any heart conditions, epilepsy etc would need to be considered in line with the module aims by the GP before a student were to sign up. The aim of the module is to train to run a marathon and students should be prepared to do this before starting the module. It is understood that illness/accidents can occur during the course of a module and, if that were to be the case, the student would need to use the psychological principles taught within the module to adapt their goal and overcome disappointment/change in group dynamic etc.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -Threshold D- to D+- Adequate answers or writing to the question, largely based on lecture material. No integration of theories.- Basic understanding of principles and theories of positive/motivational psychology.- Basic understanding of effective training plans with regard to Psychological principles- Adequate application to own goals and practice.- Adequate understanding of how to resolve set-backs in personal goals

-good -Good C- to B+- Reasonably comprehensive coverage of the topic. Well organised and structured writing. Good understanding of the theories and how they apply to training for a marathon.- Good understanding of principles and theories of positive/motivational psychology- Good understanding of effective training plans with regard to Psychological principles- Good application of theories to own goals and practice- Good understanding of how to overcome set-backs to personal goals

-excellent -Excellent A- to A*- Comprehensive and accurate coverage of the area with clarity of argument and expression. Depth of insight into theoretical issues.- Deep understanding of principles and theories of positive/motivational psychology and how they apply to running a marathon- Excellent understanding of effective training plans with regard to Psychological principles- In depth understanding of how to deal with set-backs to a personal goal and application of theory to re-evaluation/re-setting goals. - Clear development of self-efficacy and recognition of how this has come about through application of positive psychological principles- Excellent application of theories to own goals and practice

Learning Outcomes

  • On completion of the modue, students will be able to apply principles of positive & motivational psychology to set goals and understand how to achieve them

  • On completion of the module students will be able to convey applied scientific material for a lay audience.

  • On completion of the module, students will be able to apply the theoretical knowledge of the module to a real-world action-reflection cycle (e.g. running a marathon)

  • On completion of the module, students will be able to evaluate progress towards their goals, their ability to accommodate setbacks and failures, and their development of resilience to challenges;

  • On completion of the module, students will be able to understand the influence of state and performance-related factors such as nutrition, emotion, motivation and effort in goal-directed behaviour.

  • On completion of the module, students will understand the influence of dispositional factors such as personality types and motivational ability in goal-directed behaviour.

  • On completion of the modules, students will understand and be able to analyse goal setting behaviour/training plans.

Assessment method

Blog/Journal/Review

Assessment type

Summative

Description

As you learn about different theories of goal setting, motivation and determination, you will be applying these to yourself during your own training sessions (running sessions) each week. The blog assignments (5 graded blogs) are a journal of that experience. As such you will be asked to present and apply the theories, in relation to your specific experience, and to draw together different theories as you experience them in practice. The blogs are written for the lay person and should include hyperlinks to articles and websites, as well as images and even videos. Research must be cited and referenced. The blogs will be due every two weeks with an absolute deadline of the end of semester. There is no set word length but you will be guided in how much to write. The blogs are also a great way for you to chart your journey and share it with your friends, family and followers, and document it for your future reflection. There is no word limit for each blog but they will likely be between 3 and 4 paragraphs long. You will submit them every two weeks, and they are graded to the same rubric each time, so you can improve as you go along. You will also be allowed to replace your lowest grade with a bonus blog submission.

Weighting

50%

Due date

11/04/2025

Assessment method

Essay

Assessment type

Summative

Description

This summative essay draws together all the principles that you have learnt and applied during the module. The essay is a reflection of what works for YOU when you set yourself a seemingly impossible goal, and will serve as a handbook for the future should you wish to push yourself again in a different domain.

Weighting

50%

Due date

12/05/2025

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