Developmental Sport Psychology

Abstract

Developmental sport psychology refers to a theoretical perspective for studying children's social and psychological consequences of sport participation. Adapted from Baltes et al., this perspective seeks to explain psychological and behavioral variations in individuals between age groups as well as within individuals across developmental periods. Developmental theoretical approaches have been applied to the topics of observational learning, perceived competence, social influences (parents, coaches, peers), and moral development as they pertain to sport and physical activity participation. These studies reveal some rather consistent between-age group differences on social psychological constructs, as well as within-age group change as individuals cognitively and physically mature. Still, the majority of youth sport research remains nondevelopmental in nature, leading the author to again advocate strongly for a developmental perspective to enhance our understanding of children's psychological development through sport.