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Dance Psychology and Mental Skills for Dancers: Motivation
with Dr Peter Lovatt
Dance Psychology is the study of dance and dancers from a scientific, psychological perspective. When Dance Psychology is applied to dancers and dance teachers it can help people develop a set of mental skills that are an essential part of every dancer’s toolkit.
Course Aims
Motivation for Dancers and Performers explores the WHY, WHAT & HOW of Motivation.
Motivation forms the bedrock of any performer’s mental skills. Learning how to recognise and manage the why, what and how of motivation helps dancers perform at their highest level, from the studio to the stage.
The Aims of the Course are:
To provide an introduction to the “why, what and how” of Motivation.
To provide a working definition of Motivation.
To provide an introduction to two major theories of Motivation and to place these within the context of dance and performance.
To provide an introduction to the role of Goals in the motivational process.
To look at several practical methods for managing Motivation.
Mental Skills for the World’s best performers
The WHY, WHAT and HOW of Motivation
Motivation is understood to capture the “why” of behaviour and is defined as those forces or things that drive the direction, intensity and regulation of behavioural engagement. In other words, it helps us to understand our drive to dance.
You and Your Motivation
Whether or not we achieve our dance-related goals can be influenced by what motivates us to dance. Understanding the difference between healthy and unhealthy motivations is key to our success. In this course we will look at the differences between different motivational styles and you will learn which ones are helpful and which might be holding you back.
The Science of Motivation
The science of motivation can provide us with an evidence-base which can help us to understand and manage the why, what and how of motivation. Motivation for Dancers and Performers recognises the importance of understanding the evidence-base and that is why we work closely with the scientific literature as part of your learning.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Hands-on practice is the established path to success for dancers and performers. Hands-on practice is also essential for understanding and managing the why, what and how of motivation. Motivation for Dancers and Performers uses Pause & Reflect Activities and Active Learning Exercises to give you the opportunity to think about how the content of the course is relevant to your own performance-related practice and also to give you some hands-on experience.
Give Your Best Performance
Give your best performances in class, rehearsal, auditions, exams and on stage by learning how to recognise, understand and manage your motivation.
Varied Learning Activities
Dance Breaks
For Dancers
Motivation for Dancers and Performers is designed for anyone who wants to optimise their training, rehearsal and performance by learning to understand and manage their motivation and goals. This course is perfect for people who work with dancers and performers.
Accredited CPD
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Mental Skills for Dancers - Motivation
Fact File
Overview
In this short course you'll learn about the why, what and how of Motivation. You'll learn about the impact that motivation has on the way we think, the way we feel, and on the way we train as dancers. We'll look at the science and at ways of managing and optimising your motivational style.
Who is it for?
Motivation for Dancers and Performers is designed for anyone who performs, and who feels that their performance in class, in the rehearsal studio, at auditions, assessments and in performance environments could be improved by getting a handle on the why, what and how of motivation. This course is also appropriate for teachers and other industry professionals who work with people in the performing arts.
Aims
1. To provide an introduction to the "why, what and how" of Motivation.
2. To provide a working definition of Motivation.
3. To provide an introduction to two major theories of Motivation and to place these within the context of dance and performance.
4. To provide an introduction to the role of Goals in the motivational process.
5. To look at several practical methods for managing Motivation.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On completion of the module, students will be able:
1. To provide a broad introduction to Motivation.
2. To provide a working definition and knowledge base of Motivational terminology.
3. To identify how motivation effect dancers and performers both positively and negatively.
4. To look at techniques for managing motivation.
4. To identify and understand two major theories of Motivation.
5. To evaluate research studies that identify evidence and data of motivational factors.
6. To use Pause & Reflect activities and Active Learning Exercises to help define and understand motivational factors for dancers and performers.
7. To be able to reflect on the learning and understanding of Motivational theories and how it relates to your role/work using the Pause & Reflect Activities and Active Learning Exercises to put theory into context.
8. Develop awareness of how interventions for motivation can be useful and understand the ethical issues around these.
Modes of Delivery
Approximately 90 minutes of on-line video content.
Approximately 30 minutes of Pause & Reflect activities.
Approximately 90 minutes of Active Learning Exercises.
Approximately 45 minutes of suggested reading.
Approximately 30 minutes of assessment.
Approximately 15 minutes of Dance Breaks.
TOTAL = approximately 5 hours.
Learning Strategy
The key strategy is to provide the student with a broad knowledge base to the understanding of motivation, to gain information about two major theories of Motivation and to place these within the context of dance and performance, and have an awareness of techniques to help develop motivational practice. The material will be developed through one online lecture, suggested reading and Pause & Reflect activities and Active Learning Exercises.
Module Content
The content is set within the context of dance and the teaching and/or learning of dance, and will include: 1. an introduction to the “why, what and how” of Motivation. 2. a working definition of Motivation. 3. an introduction to two major theories of Motivation and to place these within the context of dance and performance. 4. an introduction to the role of Goals in the motivational process. 5. several practical methods for managing Motivation.
Pause & Reflect
Following the introduction of each topic, students are given a question and asked to Pause & Reflect on how this topic relates to their own dance practice, either as a dancer or as a teacher of dance/movement. Students should spend approximately 10 minutes on each Pause & Reflect activity and keep a set of personal notes. Pause & Reflect activities provide the opportunity to think about the link between psychology, mental skills and the teaching and/or learning of dance
Active Learning Exercises
Active learning exercises are included to encourage students to apply their learning by doing an activity, this may involve using problem solving skills, or the use of visual and/or sensory skills to encourage learning.
Dance Breaks
A simple 4-part dance routine is taught at regular breaks during the module. Each segment of the dance is learnt with the full dance routine completed at the end of the module. The Dance Break is literally to give the student a quick movement break, time out from studying and to keep the mind and body working together harmoniously.
Assessment
Knowledge and understanding of the course content will be assessed by use of a Multiple-Choice Quiz (MCQ): (60% correct to pass).
Prerequisites
None - but students might find it useful to complete Mental Skills for Dancers - an Introduction beforehand.
Learn online, at your own pace, in your own time.
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