This is the first book to focus on the psychology of esports and competitive gaming, bridging the gap between traditional sports psychology and the unique demands of digital competition. In doing so, it provides comprehensive insights into cognitive processes, motivation, personality traits, performance enhancement techniques, and the challenges faced by professional esports players.
The book is structured into three distinct sections, addressing the Foundations of Esports Psychology; Mental Optimisation and Strategic Excellence; and Mental Health and Practical Applications. Featuring contributions from over 25 international experts, each chapter provides research insights and evidence-based strategies for competitive gaming environments. Topics include rapid decision-making in FPS/MOBA games, managing "always-on" training schedules, virtual team coordination, coping with online toxicity, and ethical considerations for young professionals. The book also emphasises that esports requires distinct theoretical frameworks, rather than simply adapting traditional sports psychology.
Written accessibly whilst maintaining academic rigour, this is essential reading for sports psychologists, esports coaches, competitive gamers, researchers, students in sports psychology and esports management programmes, and organisations building sustainable gaming ecosystems that prioritise excellence and player well-being.
This is the first book to focus on the psychology of esports and competitive gaming, bridging the gap between traditional sports psychology and the unique demands of digital competition.
SECTION I
Foundations of Esports Psychology
1 Introduction to Esports Psychology
BENJAMIN T. SHARPE AND DYLAN R. POULUS
2 Cognitive Processes in Esports
NATÁLIA ZAKALSKI AND BENJAMIN T. SHARPE
3 Motivation and Goal Setting in Esports
EMMANUEL A. C. OBINE AND IAN TYNDALL
4 Expertise, Talent Identification, and Personal Traits in Esports
MARK J CAMPBELL, FAZILAT HOJAJI, SARAH C. CREGAN, AND ADAM J. TOTH
SECTION II
Mental Optimisation and Strategic Excellence in Esports
5 Decision-Making and Strategic Thinking in Esports
MICHAEL TROTTER, VIKTOR GREDIN, ERICA KLEINMANN, GUSTAF WADENHOLT, AND JOAR
SVENNSON
6 Mental Skills Training in Esports
IVAN BONILLA, ADRIAN DIAZ-MORENO, CARLES VENTURA, AND ANDRÉS CHAMARRO
7 Performance Anxiety and Performing Under Pressure in Esports
BENJAMIN T. SHARPE, ISMAEL PEDRAZA-RAMIREZ, AND MACIEJ BEHNKE
8 Stress Management in Esports
OLIVER LEIS AND FRANZISKA LAUTENBACH
9 Team Dynamics and Communication in Esports
CAMERON VANLOO AND ZUZANNA HEJDUK-MOSTOWY
SECTION III
Mental Health, Behavioural Dynamics, and Practical Applications in Esports
10 Addiction, Burnout, and Depression in Esports
PHIL BIRCH, DYLAN R. POULUS, REBECCA WONG, BENJAMIN T. SHARPE, AND ATHEESHAAN
ARUMUHAM
11 Psychological Impacts of Toxicity in Esports
MASON DREW, RACHEL KOWERT, OLIVER LEIS, AND DYLAN R. POULUS
12 Bridging the Gap: Applying Esports Psychology Research in Practice
GEORGE HORNE, RACHEL BURKILL, BERNADETTE RAMAKER, AND LAURA SWETTENHAM
13 Technology and Ethical Considerations in Esports
MATTHEW WELSH AND JONATHAN BRAIN
14 Future Considerations in Esports Psychology Practice and Research
JONATHAN BRAIN AND ALESSANDRO QUARTIROLI
Closing Remarks
Benjamin T. Sharpe is a Senior Lecturer in Cognitive Psychology, and Director of the Human Attention Laboratory, within the Institute of Psychology, Business, and Human Sciences at the University of Chichester, UK.
Dylan R. Poulus is a Senior Research Fellow at Movember, and a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Southern Cross University, Australia.
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