I recently agreed to participate in a Sports Programme on radio. I was asked to speak about the role of Sports Psychologists. I had no idea that what I saw as a routine discussion would have resulted in so much controversy. The host started the segment by playing a tape in which a prominent sportscaster set out to systematically denounce the discipline of Psychology and Sports Psychology in particular. Naturally, it was hard for me to believe that this level of ignorance still existed in 2005.

In her book, “Winning The Mental Way”, Sports Psychologist Karlene Sugarman points out that approximately 20 Sport Psychology Consultants worked with the athletes who performed at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. By the 2000 Games that figure had multiplied many times. Internationally, Sports Psychologists are playing a significant role in every area from recreational athletics, high school, college and professional teams and in corporations.  We now understand that physical and technical training are not enough if athletes are to consistently achieve peak performance; we must include mental training.  As records crumble and competition gets tighter, the margin for victory (without the aid of banned substances) is becoming smaller.  The Sports Psychologist can help to increase that edge as well as in helping the athletes develop the other areas of their lives which are often significantly underdeveloped since most athletic talent becomes evident in school or college.

The American Psychological Association includes this field as Division 47.

“Sport and Exercise Psychology is the scientific study of the psychological factors that are associated with participation and performance in sports, exercise, and other types of physical activity. Sport psychologists are interested in two main areas: (a) helping athletes use psychological principles to achieve optimal mental health and to improve performance (performance enhancement) and (b) understanding how participation in sports, exercise, and physical activity affects an individual's psychological development, health, and well-being throughout the life span.”

Sports Psychology is only one area in which Psychologists operate. Many Jamaicans are still quite uninformed of this field: The scientific study of human behaviour and mental processes. We get calls all the time from students who are feeling drawn to understanding and helping people but do not know what to study, or how to apply themselves.  The subject matter of psychology is very broad. There is an astoundingly diverse range of issues with which psychologists are concerned and settings in which psychologists work. Let's look at a few of the subfields of psychology, keeping in mind that within each subfield, psychologists can engage in many different activities. Most conduct research, teach, and/or apply psychological principles to the solution of the real life problems of individuals and societies.

Clinical Psychologists are concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disturbances. Their responsibilities range from administering and scoring psychological tests, to engaging in therapy, to administering community mental health programmes.

Counselling Psychologists are concerned with counselling, teaching, consulting research, and/or administration. In their work, they are particularly concerned with the role of education and work in an individual's functioning, and with the interaction between individuals and the environments in which they live. Typically, counselling psychologists work with normal or moderately maladjusted persons, individually or in groups. This work includes use of traditional counselling interview methods, interest, ability and personality tests, and educational and occupational information.

Educational Psychologists are concerned with a range of activities from initial design through development and evaluation of both materials and procedures for education and training. They may deal with analyzing education and training needs, with developing materials for instruction in various media, with designing the best conditions for instruction, and with evaluating the effectiveness of instructional programs. 

Engineering Psychologists are concerned with designing and using environments and systems with which human beings live and work. Their job is to improve the interaction between people and their environments. They may help design work areas, equipment, and human-machine systems, as well as the training devices, aids, and requirements needed to prepare people to make such systems function.

Industrial/Organizational Psychologists are concerned with the relationship between individuals and work. They are employed in business and industry, in government, and in colleges and universities, and may perform a variety of jobs. An industrial/organizational psychologist working in industry may study how work is organized; suggest changes to improve the satisfaction of employees, the quality of the organization's services, and productivity; consult with management on the development of effective training programmes for employees; design programmes for the early identification of management potential; administer career counselling and pre-retirement counselling programmes; develop affirmative action programs; recommend changes in job definition; or design a system of performance evaluation.

School Psychologists are concerned with increasing the effectiveness of schools in improving the intellectual, social and emotional development of children. They may also serve as consultants in education for the handicapped, mentally disturbed or mentally retarded; or in developing special programs in adult education. They typically function in various roles within the school system. They may assist in implementing and evaluating special education programs, serve as leaders of in-service training programs for teachers, or as consultants to teachers regarding specific teaching or classroom related problems. They may also help to treat children's psychological and educational problems that influence problems in school.

Social Psychologists study the ways in which the social context affects the behaviour of the individual and groups in the real world and the laboratory. Social psychologists focus on topics such as social roles, attitude formation and change, affiliation, interpersonal attraction and interaction, conformity, and group processes. 

For those of you considering a career in psychology, or who are looking at career options once your sports career is over, as you can see from the teaser provided here, there are many options. And, as was evident from the radio programme, there is a lot of work to be done right here in Jamaica.

Dr. Semaj is a frequent facilitator for Strategic Planning Retreats, Cultural alignment and Organizational Restructuring. He conducts Staff Selection and Development Programmes for different business sectors across the Caribbean.