The Psychology of Esports Performance

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 Optimization 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 emphasizes 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 organizations building sustainable gaming ecosystems that prioritize excellence and player well-being.

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.

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