Psychology doctor inspires sport students’ work
Posted: 03 October 2019
Sports students from West Nottinghamshire College welcomed a clinical psychologist from Nottingham this week (30 September) to learn about discipline, motivation and progression within their studies to assist them with their psychology module.
Dr Jessica Morris joined BTEC Extended Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science learners at the college’s university centre, for a lecture focussing on motivation within sport.
She spoke about her role as clinical psychologist at the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham where she works in paediatrics and neurology helping young people with acquired brain injuries, and her work with patients at a neurological rehabilitation centre for adults.
Dr Morris talked in depth about her passion for a range of sporting activities, which she has participated in for a number of years.
As well as being a competitive obstacle course runner and competitive endurance runner in ultra-marathons, she has also been a regional power lifter, was on the Welsh development squad for judo and played in the premiership women’s rugby team, which she described as “the best thing I’ve ever done.”
The session centred around finding and maintaining motivation levels within the sporting arena and recognising the factors which drive an individual. Students discussed the positives within a sport which create the drive to succeed, such as seeing one’s progress, and the intrinsic and extrinsic motivation factors found within competing in sports.
Ty Warren, a student on the BTEC Level 3 Sport and Exercise Science proramme said: “Dr Morris gave me an insight into the real world of psychology and the options open to me in the future”.
Sport tutor Maria Higgins said: “Dr Morris’ session was very inspiring and gave the students lots to think about when writing their sport psychology assignment.
“It was interesting to hear Dr Morris’ journey through sport and how she can apply psychology methods to the way someone participates.”