ABSTRACT
This chapter explains how psychologists define key terms such as groups, teams and group dynamics. It introduces the concept of team spirit, which has been defined operationally by sport psychologists as "cohesion" or the extent to which a group of athletes or players is united by a common purpose and bonds together in pursuit of that objective. The chapter also examines the measurement of team cohesion and its relationship to athletic performance. It investigates the nature and efficacy of team-building activities in sport psychology, and evaluates the commonly held belief that team sports foster desirable psychological qualities in participants. The chapter further outlines some new directions for research on team cohesion in sport, and provides suggestions for possible research projects in this field. Based on his vast experience as a sport psychology consultant to a variety of university-level athletes in different settings, Yukelson delineated four stages of direct team-building work with athletes: assessment, education, brainstorming and goal-setting.
