Sport And Exercise Psychology: A Critical Introduction

there is a paucity of knowledge at present about possible changes in group dynamics
within sports teams over time. Therefore, longitudinal research is required in which such
key variables as athletes’ social and task cohesion could be measured at various stages
over a competitive season. This type of research would rectify the danger of over-reliance
on data obtained from “snapshot” studies in this field. Fourth, in examining the
relationship between team cohesion and athletic performance, it is important either to
measure or to control for the moderating influence of such variables as sport type, group
structure and intra-group relationships. Finally, just as in many other areas of sport and
exercise psychology, there has been a dearth of field studies using top-level athletes.

Ideas for research projects on team cohesion in sport

Here are six ideas for research projects on group processes in athletes.

1 Given the need for additional longitudinal and field research in this field, it would be
interesting to explore possible changes in social- and task-cohesion in a team of sports
performers over the course of a season. The hypotheses to be tested in this study
should be derived from a current, influential model of team cohesion (e.g., see
Widmeyer et al., 2002).
2 A comprehensive psychometric evaluation of the “Group Environment Questionnaire”
(GEQ; Carron et al., 1985), both for sports teams and for people engaged in exercise
classes, could provide some valuable evidence on the construct validity of this
instrument.
3 It would be interesting to examine the relationship between team cohesion and
cognitive processes such as decision making in sport situations. As yet, little or
nothing is known about this topic.
4 Few studies have been conducted on the relationship between a coach’s leadership style
and the cohesion of his or her team (but see Turman, 2003, for a case study approach
to this topic).
5 It would be interesting to examine the similarities and differences between the team-
building strategies advocated by experienced and novice coaches.
6 Additional research is required on the nature and development of sports-personship in
athletes from different sports (see Vallerand et al., 1997). In particular, what are the
similarities and differences between athletes from different sports in their
understanding of, and attitudes to, the topic of cheating in sport?

Summary

Despite the importance of group processes in athletic performance, less research has been
conducted on team-related processes in sport than on the individual characteristics of the
performers. To rectify this trend, the present chapter examined the nature, measurement
and correlates of one of the most popular constructs in this field: “team spirit/cohesion”
(or the degree of closeness and collaboration between team-mates).

Exploring team cohesion in sport: a critical perspective 209