Defining Teamwork: An Analysis of Group Dynamics in Sports

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2013
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Haverford College. Department of Psychology
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Award
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eng
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Open Access
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Abstract
This paper explores sports psychology and more specifically the topic of teamwork. It investigates and reviews the current relevant literature in both social and sports psychology disciplines. Theoretical models of group dynamics, cohesion, and coaching are included, forming the framework from which to create a new operational definition for teamwork, something previously missing from this field of research. Teamwork is defined as all members of a sports team having a shared and deeply imbedded understanding of: team identity, team philosophy, individual roles, and performance outcome goals. Additionally, this paper applies the new definition to a coaching intervention model – a stepwise program that explains how coaches can effectively build teamwork that leads to positive performance outcomes. This definition and model provide the basis from which research in this field of study should continue. A specific way to measure teamwork as well as adaptations for specificities like level and type of sport should also be considered in future work. This paper is intended to serve as an innovative application of sports and social psychology that not only expands the field of literature, but also serves as an accessible and useful tool from which athletes and coaches can benefit.
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