Introduction and Aim:

There is a new trend in sport psychology where the focus is less on the single individual, but more on the context, the environment, and  the culture which the athlete is part of (see: Ryba, Schinke & Tennenbaum, 2010). The main focus of cultural sport psychology is on issues of transnational, gendered, and sexual identities and on understanding and embracing social diversity. Until now applied sport psychology has not be very much included in this cultural approach, both in regard to practice and as a theoretical position. In this presentation the aim is to unfold the philosophical stance of group coaching as a culturally oriented sport psychological intervention, i.e. a theoretical position for the applied work in the field.

 

Method:

To be able to unfold the psychological stance of a culturally based applied sport psychology approach, it necessary to search for inspiration both in the theoretical and applied literature, possibly outside the field of sport psychology. This investigation has mainly been based on the search and interpretation of existing work, which has lead to a concept of narrative-collaborative coaching in the field of applied sport psychology.

It has been essential to base this study on new and postmodern approaches in psychology, mainly on social constructionism as the theoretical position and on narrative-collaborative practice representing the applied dimension.

 

Results:

The following bullets grasp the central positions of coaching as narrative-collaborative practice (see also Stelter, 2007, 2010) - integrating theoretical positions and recommendation for practice:

Both coach and coachee(s) are regard as experts. All parties are included in collaborative process of meaning making and knowledge production essential for transformational learningGenerous listening (Stelter, in press) are the basis for generative dialoguesAppreciating personal and cultural difference is essential for development and personal growth. New knowledge is formed co-creatively and locally and helps to empower all participants.Coupling landscapes of consciousness (focus on identity, values, aspirations and meaning) with landscapes of action (focus on insights in regard to new possibilities and ways of acting) (White, 2007)Outsider witnessing (White, 2007) is one of the central methods of co-creative and cooperative dialogues that help to enlarge the position of all coaching participants

 

Conclusion:

For the further development of this approach it is essential to work on empirical and evidence-based studies that help to support this approach.  This research is currently in progress.

 

References:

Ryba, T., Schinke, R. & Tennenbaum, G. (2010). The cultural turn in sport psychology. Morgantown: FIT.

Stelter, R. (2007). Coaching: A process of personal and social meaning making. International Coaching        Psychology Review 2, 2, 191-201.

Stelter, R. (2010). Narrative coaching: A community psychological perspective. In T. Ryba, R.                  Schinke & G. Tennenbaum (eds.). Cultural perspectives in sport and exercise                       psychology (pp. 335-361). Morgantown: Fitness Information Technology.

White, M. (2007). Maps of narrative practice.  New York: Norton.