Across this unit, learners explore how arousal, stress, anxiety, and aggression affect athletes before, during, and after performance. Key psychological theories such as Drive Theory, the Inverted-U Hypothesis, Catastrophe Theory, and theories of competitive anxiety and aggression are examined and applied to real sporting situations. Students develop their understanding through case studies, practical examples, discussion tasks, and recap activities, allowing them to explain how psychological states can both enhance and hinder performance. By the end of Learning Aim B, learners will be able to apply theory to sporting scenarios, evaluate positive and negative effects on performance, and demonstrate a deeper understanding of athlete behaviour in competitive environments.

Learning Aims C and D explore key psychological characteristics that influence athlete development, behaviour, and performance in sport. In Learning Aim C, learners examine self-confidence, self-efficacy, and self-esteem, considering how different levels can positively or negatively affect performance. Key theories such as Vealey’s Multidimensional Model of Sport Confidence and Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory are applied to sporting situations to help learners understand how confidence can be developed and maintained in athletes. Learning Aim D focuses on mindset, resilience, and perfectionism, exploring how athletes respond to challenge, failure, and pressure. Learners compare growth and fixed mindsets, investigate the role of resilience in overcoming adversity, and evaluate functional and dysfunctional perfectionism. Through case studies, discussion tasks, and applied activities, students learn how psychological traits can shape long-term performance, motivation, and wellbeing in sport. By the end of Learning Aims C and D, learners will be able to apply psychological theory to real sporting contexts, evaluate the impact of individual differences, and demonstrate an understanding of how athletes can be supported to reach their potential.

A range of resources are available for Psychology in Sport, including BTEC Level 3 textbooks and revision guides covering topics such as motivation, stress, anxiety, and arousal. Online websites, videos, and case studies offer real-life sporting examples to help apply theory to performance. Questionnaires are also available to explore psychological traits in athletes. These resources allow learners to understand both theory and practical application.