Psychology of Peak Performance

This unit is an elective within the course and provides a comprehensive understanding of the psychological factors associated with peak performance. It will cover the psychological skills and practice necessary to enhance performance that can be applied across a range of industry sectors. Students will gain an understanding of the different forms of motivation, stress and pressures that impact on behaviour and performance. Students will then learn how to access, develop and implement a psychological skills training program designed to enhance performance. The unit includes an experiential component that involves the application of psychological skills to personal performance goals. The unit will also examine the impact of related issues such as group dynamics and managing career transitions.

Learning Outcomes

  • Describe key psychological factors associated with peak performance
  • Conduct a psychological skills assessment and initial interview protocol
  • Develop a peak performance profile
  • Identify and describe the relationship between arousal, anxiety and activation and performance
  • Develop performance protocols and plans
  • Demonstrate the application of performance enhancement techniques and strategies
  • Demonstrate an understanding of performance psychology applications across a variety of domains
  • Critically analyse performance psychology research
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of psychological skills in practice
  • Demonstrate an understanding of career transitions

Content Areas

  • Introduction to Psychology of Peak Performance
  • Stress and Performance Relationship
  • Goal Setting for Peak Performance
  • Motivation
  • Beliefs and Feedback Systems
  • Self-Confidence
  • Self-Regulations
  • Enhancing Focus
  • Mental Imagery
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Performance Across Contexts
  • Peak Performance in Groups

Unit Duration and Workload

This unit involves a total of 36 hours of face to face delivery of self directed study including educator contact in flexible delivery modes, generating a further 54 hours of self-study per unit including research and related study activities, including assessment. This translates to 7.5 hours per week for the unit.