The psychology of social relations is particularly relevant to team games, where ‘team morale’ is an important element in effective performance on the pitch. The idea of competition among teams is also connected to concepts of ‘in-groups’ and ‘out-groups’, and good coaches or managers of a team will understand what types of groupthink can be harnessed to encourage a healthy competitive attitude.
Solo athletes rely on social psychology, too. Competition definitely inspires them to perform, yet psychologists have shown that the simple presence of another individual can enhance performance. For instance, some studies show that athletes who train with others achieve better results than those training alone. Equally, studies have revealed that conflicts within the team can lead to lower-than-expected performances if teammates fail to acknowledge each other’s efforts.
