Behavior Change and Coaching Psychology
Domain 7 - Behavior Change and Coaching Psychology
This domain tests whether you can support adherence without relying on commands. Expect questions on motivation, goal setting, feedback, and difficult conversations.
Core rules and concepts
- Self-determination theory identifies autonomy, competence, and relatedness as basic psychological needs; satisfying them supports sustained motivation.
- Motivational interviewing uses open questions, affirmation, reflective listening, and summarizing (OARS) to explore ambivalence and elicit change talk.
- Goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound, with process goals supporting outcome goals.
- Implementation intentions (“If X happens, I will do Y”) improve follow-through by linking cues to actions.
- Self-monitoring and feedback improve awareness; feedback should be specific and focused on controllable behavior.
- Relapse is common; plan for high-risk situations rather than treating a lapse as failure.
Worked example
An athlete says, “I know sleep matters, but I’m not giving up late gaming.” Reasoning: avoid lecturing. Ask what benefits matter to them, reflect both sides of ambivalence, and elicit a small self-chosen change, such as a 30-minute earlier shutdown twice weekly. This supports autonomy and builds competence.
Traps that cost marks
- Lecturing or using controlling language.
- Relying on extrinsic rewards that undermine intrinsic motivation.
- Setting only outcome goals the athlete cannot directly control.
- Treating a lapse as proof the athlete “doesn’t care.”
Exam takeaway
Build autonomy, competence, and relatedness, then negotiate specific, controllable actions.