An exploration into psychological attributes and mental techniques utilized in professional esports

The purpose of this thesis was to explore the most important psychological attributes in esports and the types of mental techniques utilized by professionals and coaches. The research data was collected in spring 2023 through interviews. We interviewed four (4) players and two (2) coaches, all profe...

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Main Authors: Planting, Zacharias, Salomaa, Hermanni
Other Authors: Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, Liikuntatieteellinen tiedekunta, Sport and Health Sciences, Liikunta- ja terveystieteet, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylän yliopisto
Format: Master's thesis
Language:eng
Published: 2024
Subjects:
Online Access: https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/95135
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author Planting, Zacharias Salomaa, Hermanni
author2 Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences Liikuntatieteellinen tiedekunta Sport and Health Sciences Liikunta- ja terveystieteet University of Jyväskylä Jyväskylän yliopisto
author_facet Planting, Zacharias Salomaa, Hermanni Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences Liikuntatieteellinen tiedekunta Sport and Health Sciences Liikunta- ja terveystieteet University of Jyväskylä Jyväskylän yliopisto Planting, Zacharias Salomaa, Hermanni Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences Liikuntatieteellinen tiedekunta Sport and Health Sciences Liikunta- ja terveystieteet University of Jyväskylä Jyväskylän yliopisto
author_sort Planting, Zacharias
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description The purpose of this thesis was to explore the most important psychological attributes in esports and the types of mental techniques utilized by professionals and coaches. The research data was collected in spring 2023 through interviews. We interviewed four (4) players and two (2) coaches, all professionals in the field of esports. The interviews followed a semistructured interview method. Five interviews were conducted remotely via video call using Zoom, and one was conducted at the premises of the University of Jyväskylä. The duration of the interviews ranged between 60 minutes and 91 minutes. We chose qualitative data-driven content analysis as our method of analysis, and the philosophical foundation of our research was phenomenological-hermeneutic. The thesis delved into the essential psychological attributes and mental techniques in esports, as identified by professionals in the field. The collected data comprised 99 pages of transcribed interviews, formatted in 12-point font with 1.5 line spacing between paragraphs. Our findings, totaling 607 mentions, highlights the significance of team dynamics (n=154), psychological attributes (n=277), and mental techniques (n=176). These were organized into 30 upper classes and 3 main categories, illustrating the intricate interplay of performance psychology within professional esports. This thesis investigated the psychological attributes and mental techniques essential for professional esports performance, categorizing them into three main classes: team dynamics, psychological attributes, and mental techniques. It highlights the importance of attributes such as awareness, confidence, and focus, along with techniques like self-regulation and imagery, for peak performance. Team dynamics, including cohesion and communication, were also identified as crucial for success. The study provides valuable insights into esports psychology and the potential implementation of mental training practices. It also highlights 'flow-state' as a promising area for future investigation, informed by the results obtained. By illustrating the interconnectedness of these elements, the thesis advocates for a holistic approach to enhancing esports performance, suggesting landscapes for further exploration in the interplay between psychological attributes, mental techniques, and team dynamics. Tämän opinnäytteen tarkoituksena oli perehtyä selvittämään, mitä psykologisia ominaisuuksia e-urheilussa koetaan tärkeimmiksi ja millaisia psyykkisiä tekniikoita ammattilaiset käyttävät. Tutkimusaineisto kerättiin keväällä 2023 haastatteluiden avulla. Haastattelimme neljää (4) pelaajaa ja kahta (2) valmentajaa, jotka ovat ammattilaisia e-urheilussa. Haastattelut noudattivat puolistrukturoidun ja teemahaastattelun menetelmiä. Viisi haastattelua toteutettiin etäyhteydellä videopuheluna Zoom – ohjelmalla ja yksi Jyväskylän yliopiston tiloissa. Haastattelujen kesto vaihteli 60min ja 91min välillä. Analyysimenetelmäksi valitsimme laadullisen aineistolähtöisen sisällönanalyysin ja tutkimuksemme tieteenfilosofinen lähtökohta on fenomenologis-hermeneuttinen, sillä tutkimuksen tarkoituksena oli tutkia haastateltavien kokemuksia. Haastatteluaineistoa kertyi yhteensä 99 sivua 12 fontilla ja 1,5 rivivälillä. Sisällönanalyysin tulokset, yhteensä 607 mainintaa (n=), korostavat joukkuedynamiikan (n=154), psykologisten ominaisuuksien (n=277) ja psyykkisten tekniikoiden (n=176) merkitystä. Nämä jaettiin 30 yläluokkaan ja 3 pääluokkaan, kuvaten suorituskyvyn psykologian monimutkaista vuorovaikutusta ammattimaisessa e-urheilussa. Tämä pro-gradu tutkielma tutkii psykologisia ominaisuuksia ja psyykkisiä tekniikoita, jotka ovat olennaisia huipputason e-urheilussa, luokitellen ne kolmeen pääluokkaan: joukkuedynamiikka, psykologiset ominaisuudet ja psyykkiset tekniikat. Se korostaa tietoisuuden, luottamuksen ja keskittymisen kaltaisten ominaisuuksien sekä itsesäätelyn ja mielikuvaharjoittelun kaltaisten tekniikoiden merkitystä huippusuorituksen saavuttamisessa. Tutkimus tarjoaa arvokkaita näkemyksiä e-urheilun psykologiasta ja psyykkisten harjoitusmenetelmien mahdollisista valmennuskäytännöistä. Se myös korostaa 'flow-tilaa' lupaavana alueena tulevaisuuden tutkimukselle, tuloksissa saadun tiedon valossa. Myös joukkuedynamiikka, mukaan lukien ryhmän koheesio ja kommunikaatio, tunnistetaan menestyksen kannalta ratkaiseviksi. Osoittamalla näiden tekijöiden välisiä yhteyksiä tutkielmamme suosittelee kokonaisvaltaiseen lähestymistapaan e-urheilun suorituskyvyn parantamisessa. Näin ollen myös kannustamme tutkimaan psykologisten ominaisuuksien, psyykkisten tekniikoiden ja joukkuedynamiikan välisiä yhteyksiä ja vaikutuksia syvällisemmin.
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The research\ndata was collected in spring 2023 through interviews. We interviewed four (4) players and\ntwo (2) coaches, all professionals in the field of esports. The interviews followed a semistructured interview method. Five interviews were conducted remotely via video call using\nZoom, and one was conducted at the premises of the University of Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4. The duration of\nthe interviews ranged between 60 minutes and 91 minutes.\nWe chose qualitative data-driven content analysis as our method of analysis, and the\nphilosophical foundation of our research was phenomenological-hermeneutic. The thesis\ndelved into the essential psychological attributes and mental techniques in esports, as\nidentified by professionals in the field. The collected data comprised 99 pages of transcribed\ninterviews, formatted in 12-point font with 1.5 line spacing between paragraphs. 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spellingShingle Planting, Zacharias Salomaa, Hermanni An exploration into psychological attributes and mental techniques utilized in professional esports esports competitive gaming psychological attributes mental techniques Sport and Exercise Psychology Liikuntapsykologia 5021 liikuntapsykologia elektroninen urheilu sport psychology electronic sports
title An exploration into psychological attributes and mental techniques utilized in professional esports
title_full An exploration into psychological attributes and mental techniques utilized in professional esports
title_fullStr An exploration into psychological attributes and mental techniques utilized in professional esports An exploration into psychological attributes and mental techniques utilized in professional esports
title_full_unstemmed An exploration into psychological attributes and mental techniques utilized in professional esports An exploration into psychological attributes and mental techniques utilized in professional esports
title_short An exploration into psychological attributes and mental techniques utilized in professional esports
title_sort exploration into psychological attributes and mental techniques utilized in professional esports
title_txtP An exploration into psychological attributes and mental techniques utilized in professional esports
topic esports competitive gaming psychological attributes mental techniques Sport and Exercise Psychology Liikuntapsykologia 5021 liikuntapsykologia elektroninen urheilu sport psychology electronic sports
topic_facet 5021 Liikuntapsykologia Sport and Exercise Psychology competitive gaming electronic sports elektroninen urheilu esports liikuntapsykologia mental techniques psychological attributes sport psychology
url https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/95135 http://www.urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:jyu-202405243899
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