• BSc (University of Athens, Greece)
• MSc (University of North Carolina at Greensboro)
• PhD (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)
  

Dr Maria Kavussanu was born in Crete, Greece, where she lived until the age of 18. She studied Physical Education and Sports Science at the University of Athens, Greece and obtained a MSc. in Exercise and Sport Science from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

She completed her PhD in Sport and Exercise Psychology under the supervision of Glyn C. Roberts in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She subsequently worked as a lecturer at Loughborough and Illinois State Universities prior to taking up the post of lecturer at the University of Birmingham

Maria is module organiser of the Year 1 module Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology.

Current PhD students

• Andrew Dewar
• Nick Stanger

Former PhD students

• Pepijn van de Pol
• Andrew Cooke
• Ian Boardley
• Rebecca Morris
• Luke Sage
• Edward Chow

Dr Kavussanu’s main research interest is morality in sport. She seeks to understand personal and social influences on athletes’ moral behaviour and is particularly interested in the role of emotion in antisocial behaviour.

She is also interested in the antecedents and consequences of achievement goals in sport and the conditions that optimise athletes’ motivation in training and competition. Finally, Dr Kavussanu is trying to understand sport performance under competitive pressure.

Research Grants

• Economic and Social Research Council (£99,961). Project title: The social and cognitive neuroscience of performance under pressure. Grant awarded to C.M. Ring (PI),M. Kavussanu, & R. Masters (2011)
• Economic and Social Research Council (£99,913): Project title: Morality in sport: A social neuroscience perspective. Grant awarded to M. Kavussanu (PI) & C.M.  Ring (2008)
• The Nuffield Foundation (£9,571). Project title: Observed antisocial behaviours in sport: Examining age and gender differences and exploring the underlying mechanisms. Grant awarded to M. Kavussanu (2007)

Grant Applications Reviewer

• ESRC Peer Review College
• The Nuffield Foundation
• The Leverhulme Trust 

Editorial positions

• Section Editor of the International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology
• Consulting Editor of the Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology
• Editorial Board member of:
  • Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology
  • Psychology of Sport and Exercise
  • Journal of Applied Sport Psychology
  • International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology

Book Chapters

1. Kavussanu, M. (in press). Moral behavior in sport. In S. Murphy (Ed.) Handbook of performance and sport psychology. Oxford University Press.
2. Kavussanu, M., & Boardley, I.D. (2012). Moral behavior. In G. Tenenbaum, R.J. Eklund, & A. Kamata (Eds.), (pp. 443-454). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
3. Kitsantas, A., & Kavussanu, M. (2011). Acquisition of sport knowledge and skill: The role of self-regulatory processes. In B. Zimmerman & D. Schunk (Eds.), Handbook of self-regulation of learning and performance (pp. 217-233). London: Routledge.
4. Kavussanu, M. (2007). Morality in sport. In S. Jowett & D. E. Lavallee (Eds.) Social psychology in sport (pp. 265-278). Champaign IL: Human Kinetics.
5. Roberts, G.C., Treasure, D.C., & Kavussanu, M. (1997).  Motivation in physical activity contexts:  An achievement goal perspective.  In P.R. Pintrich & M. L. Maehr, (Eds.), Advances in motivation and achievement (pp. 413-447), Vol. 10. Greenwich, CT:  JAI Press.

Journal Articles

1. Stanger, N., Kavussanu, M., & Ring, C. (in press). Put yourself in their boots: Effects of empathy on emotion and aggression. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology.
2. van de Pol, P.K.C., Kavussanu, M., & Ring, C. (in press). Goal orientations, perceived motivational climate, and motivational responses in football: A comparison between training and competition contexts. Psychology of Sport and Exercise.
3. van de Pol, P.K.C., & Kavussanu, M. (in press). Achievement motivation across training and competition in individual and team sports. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology.
4. Dewar, A., & Kavussanu, M. (2011).  Achievement goals and emotions in golf: The mediating and moderating role of perceived performance. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 12, 525-532.
5. Kavussanu, M., White, S. A., Jowett, S., & England, S. (2011). Elite and non-elite male footballers differ in goal orientation and perceived parental climate. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 9(3), 284-290.
6. Boardley, I.D., & Kavussanu, M. (2011). Moral disengagement in sport. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 4(2), 93-108.Sagar, S.,
7. Sagar, S, Boardley, I.D., & Kavussanu, M. (2011). Fear of failure and students’ interpersonal antisocial behaviour in education and sport. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 81(3), 391-408.
8. Traclet, A., Romand, P., Moret, O., & Kavussanu, M. (2011). Antisocial behavior in soccer: A qualitative study of moral disengagement. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 9(2), 143–155.
9. Cooke, A., Kavussanu, M., McIntyre, D., Boardley, I.D., & Ring, C. (2011). Effects of competitive pressure on expert performance: Underlying psychological, physiological and kinematic mechanisms. Psychophysiology, 48, 1146-1156.
10. Cooke, A., Kavussanu, M., McIntyre, D., & Ring, C. (2011). Effects of competition on endurance performance and the underlying psychological and physiological mechanisms. Biological Psychology, 86, 370–378 
11. van de Pol, P., & Kavussanu, M. (2011). Achievement goals and motivational consequences in tennis: Does the context matter? Psychology of Sport and Exercise 12, 176-183.
12. Cooke, A., Kavussanu, M., McIntyre, D., & Ring, C. (2010). Psychological, muscular and kinematic factors mediate performance under pressure. Psychophysiology, 47, 1109–1118.
13. Sage, L.D., & Kavussanu, M. (2010). Moral identity and social goals predict eudaimonia in football. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 11, 461-466.
14. Boardley, I. D., & Kavussanu, M. (2010). Effects of goal orientation and perceived value of toughness on antisocial behavior: The mediating role of moral disengagement. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 33, 176-192.
15. Boardley, I. D., & Kavussanu, M. (2009). The influence of social variables and moral disengagement on prosocial and antisocial behaviours in field hockey and netball. Journal of Sports Sciences, 27(8), 843–854.
16. Kavussanu, M., Morris, R. L., & Ring, C. (2009). Effects of achievement goals on performance, enjoyment and practice in a novel motor task. Journal of Sports Sciences, 27(12), 1281–1292.
17. Morris, R. L., & Kavussanu, M. (2009). Approach-avoidance achievement goals in sport: Psychological correlates and a comparison with the dichotomous model. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 9, 185-202.
18. Kavussanu, M., Stamp, R., Slade, G., & Ring, C. (2009). Observed prosocial and antisocial behaviors in male and female soccer players. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 21 (Supp. 1), S62-S76.
19. Kavussanu, M., & Boardley, I. D. (2009). The Prosocial and Antisocial Behavior in Sport Scale. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 31, 97–117.
20. Ring, C., Veldhuijzen van Zanten J. J. C. S., & Kavussanu, M. (2009). Effects of sex, phase of the menstrual cycle, and gonadal hormones on pain in healthy humans. Biological Psychology, 81, 189–191.
21. Boardley, I. D., & Kavussanu, M. (2008). The Moral Disengagement in Sport Scale – Short. Journal of Sports Sciences, 26, 1507-1517.
22. Kavussanu, M., Boardley, I. D., Jutkiewicz, N., Vincent, S., & Ring, C. (2008). Coaching efficacy and coaching effectiveness: Examining their predictors and comparing coaches’ and athletes’ reports. The Sport Psychologist, 22, 383-404.
23. Boardley, I. D., Kavussanu, M., & Ring, C. (2008). Athletes' perceptions of coaching effectiveness and athlete-related outcomes in rugby union: An investigation based on the coaching efficacy model. The Sport Psychologist, 22, 269–287.
24. Kavussanu, M. (2008). Moral behaviour in sport: A critical review of the literature. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 1, 124-138.
25. Ring, C., Edwards, L., & Kavussanu, M. (2008). Effects of isometric exercise on pain are mediated by blood pressure. Biological Psychology, 78, 123-128.
26. McIntyre, D., Kavussanu, M., & Ring, C. (2008). Effects of arterial and cardiopulmonary baroreceptor activation on the upper limb nociceptive flexion reflex and electrocutaneous pain in humans. Pain, 137, 550–555.
27. Sage, L., & Kavussanu, M. (2008).Goal orientations, motivational climate, and prosocial and antisocial behaviour in youth football: Exploring their temporal stability and reciprocal relationships. Journal of Sports Sciences, 26, 717 – 732.
28. Morris, R. L., & Kavussanu, M. (2008). Antecedents of approach-avoidance goals in sport. Journal of Sports Sciences, 26, 465-476.
29. Sage, L., & Kavussanu, M. (2007). Multiple goal orientations as predictors of moral behavior in youth soccer. The Sport Psychologist, 21, 417-437.
30. Kavussanu, M. (2007). The effects of goal orientations on global and physical self-esteem in physical education students. The Hellenic Journal of Psychology, 4, 111-132.
31. Boardley, I. D., & Kavussanu, M. (2007). Development and validation of the Moral Disengagement in Sport Scale. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 29, 608-628. pdf (for personal use only)
32. Sage, L., & Kavussanu, M. (2007). The effects of goal involvement on moral behavior in an experimentally manipulated competitive setting. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 29, 190-207. pdf (for personal use only)
33. Kavussanu, M., Seal, A. R., & Phillips, D. R. (2006). Observed prosocial and antisocial behaviors in male soccer teams: Age differences across adolescence and the role of motivational variables. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 18, 326-344. pdf (for personal use only)
34. Kavussanu, M., & Spray, C. M. (2006). Contextual influences on moral functioning of male football players. The Sport Psychologist, 20, 1-23.
35. Kavussanu, M. (2006). Motivational predictors of prosocial and antisocial behaviour in football. Journal of Sports Sciences, 24(6), 575-588.
36. Sage, L. D., Kavussanu, M., & Duda, J. L. (2006). Goal orientations and moral identity as predictors of prosocial and antisocial functioning in male association football players. Journal of Sports Sciences, 24(5), 455-466.
37. White, S.A., Kavussanu, M., Tank, K., & Wingate, J. (2004).  Perceived parental beliefs about the causes of success in sport: Relationship to young athletes' achievement goals and personal beliefs.  Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 14(1), 57-66.
38. Biddle, S.J.H., Wang, J., Kavussanu, M., & Spray, C.M. (2003). Correlates of achievement goal orientations in physical activity: A systematic review of research.  European Journal of Sports Science, 3(5), 1-19. 
39. Hagger, M.S., Biddle, S.J.H., Chow, E.W., Stambulova, N. & Kavussanu, M. (2003). Physical self-perceptions in adolescence: Generalisability of a hierarchical multidimensional model across three cultures. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 34, 611-628.
40. Kavussanu, M., & Ntoumanis, N.  (2003). Participation in sport and moral functioning: Does ego orientation mediate their relationship?  Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 25(4), 1-18.
41. Kavussanu, M. (2002). Dimensions of morality and their determinants in sport. Psychology: The Journal of the Hellenic Psychological Society, 9(4), 514-530.
42. Kavussanu, M., Roberts, G.C., & Ntoumanis, N. (2002).  Contextual influences on moral functioning of college basketball players.  The Sport Psychologist, 16, 347-367.
43. Roberts, G.C., Kavussanu, M., & Sprague, R.L. (2001). Mentoring and the impact of the research climate.  Science and Engineering Ethics, 7, 525-537.
44. Kavussanu, M., & Roberts, G.C. (2001). Moral functioning in sport: An achievement goal perspective. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 23, 37-54.
45. Kavussanu, M., & Harnisch, D.L. (2000).  Self-esteem in children: Do goal orientations matter?  British Journal of Educational Psychology, 70(2), 229-242.
46. White, S.A., Kavussanu, M., & Guest, S.M. (1998).  Goal orientations and perceptions of the motivational climate created by significant others.  European Journal of Physical Education, 3, 212-228.
47. Kavussanu, M., Crews, D.J., & Gill, D.L. (1998).  The effects of single versus multiple measures of biofeedback on basketball free throw shooting performance.  International Journal of Sport Psychology, 29(2), 132-144.
48. Ommundsen, Y., Roberts, G.C., & Kavussanu, M.  (1998). Perceived motivational climate and cognitive and affective correlates among team athletes.  Journal of Sports Sciences, 16(2), 153-164.
49. Roberts, G.C., Treasure, D.C., & Kavussanu, M. (1996).  Orthogonality of achievement goals and its relationship to beliefs about success and satisfaction in sport.  The Sport Psychologist, 10(4), 398-408.
50. Kavussanu, M., & Roberts, G.C. (1996).  Motivation in physical activity contexts:  The relationship of perceived motivational climate to intrinsic motivation and self-efficacy.  Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 18 (3), 264-280.
51. Kavussanu, M., & McAuley, E. (1995).  Exercise and optimism:  Are highly active individuals more optimistic?  Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 17(3), 246-258.