Contemporary Topics and Trends in the Psychology of Sports : Past, Present and Future Perspectives

Sports psychology is a relatively young discipline within psychology. Contemporary sports psychology is a fast growing and diverse field. Hence, the objectives of this timely, comprehensive, and authoritative volume is to bring together an eminent group of international experts to provide an overview of the most recent developments in the psychology of sports. This volume comprises nine chapters: The initial chapter provides the reader with the definitions, topics and trends within the psychology of sports. This chapter is followed by an overview on current research in sports officiating and decision-making. Chapter three provides an in-depth discussion of simple heuristics in sports. Chapter four and five are focused on the issues of transformational leadership and assessing leadership styles of coaches. Chapter six provides an insight into the socially and highly relevant topic of sport fans' willingness to consider anonymous acts of aggression. Chapter seven recognizes the significant impact of achievement motive in sports. Chapter eight and nine provide an insight in to the interface of sports psychology and psychopathology discussing eating disorders among male athletes as well as the types of coping strategies as predictors for the development of psychosomatic disorders among athletes after career termination. This book has been written in a style to attract the attention of scholars and students who hopefully consider it readable, enjoyable and informative.