Our work within the LEGO is dedicated to researching emotions and group dynamics, and the links between the two, at individual, group, leader, and organizational levels in sport and other performance settings. In addition, we are passionate about translating our findings and knowledge back to performers, teams, and organizations in the field and collaborating with them to generate and investigate new and relevant research questions.
To get insight into our latest activities and endeavors, please follow us on Twitter and TikTok (@LEGOFSU).
United in Joy and Misery? Investigating the Links from Collective Emotions to Team Integration
Project lead: Dr. Svenja A. Wolf
Research questions: Does greater emotional agreement predict increased social integration (i.e., cohesion, entitativity, identification, commitment)? Does emotional valence (i.e., pleasant as in happiness and excitement vs. unpleasant as in anxiety, dejection, and anger) moderate this relationship?
Method: Cross-lagged multilevel correlational field study of competitive adult sport teams responding to questionnaires on emotions and perceived social integration.
Status: In data-collection
Everything Is Cool When You're Part of a Team? The Effects of Interdependence on Cognitions, Emotions, Effort, and Performance Under Pressure
Project lead: Dr. Svenja A. Wolf
Research questions: To what extent does outcome interdependence (i.e., coactive/independent vs. conjunctive/worst team member counts task structure) change the effects of situational pressure on cognitions (i.e., perceived indispensability, primary and secondary appraisal), emotions (i.e., excitement and anxiety), effort, and performance? Does task type (i.e., effort-based/conditioning vs. skill-based/coordination) moderate these changes?
Method: Field experiment of competitive adult basketball players performing sprint and free throw tasks and responding to questionnaires on cognitions, emotions, and effort under conditions of low vs. high pressure and independence vs. interdependence
Status: In preparation
Exploration of Interpersonal Emotion Regulation in Dyad Sports on Emotion, Effort and Ego Depletion of the Regulator
Project lead: Rebecca R. Foti
Research questions: This study aims to (a) explain how the regulator’s emotions, ego depletion, and effort are impacted by providing IER, (b) explore how athletes perceive the receipt of IER to impact their emotions, (c) understand the relationships and team dynamics involved in IER, and (d) understand the factors that contribute to IER strategy selection and implementation.
Method: A multiple time point correlational field study in which dyad athletes will complete questionnaires on ego depletion and eight emotions prior to a match and on 10 IER behaviors, eight emotions, task effort and ego depletion following a match to determine change in variables. This is paired with multi-level descriptive phenomenological interviews with competitive tennis and pickleball athletes, from an interpretivist position focused on recognizing and understanding subjective meaning (Goldkuhl, 2012) within the athletes’ experiences.
Status: In data collection
Rival or Role Model? How Perceived Teammates’ Displays of Pride Predict Emotional Responses and Behavioral Consequences Related to Performance
Project lead: Jordan C. Smith
Research questions: How does one teammates’ expression of pride impact emotional triggers in onlooking teammates by assessing perception of teammates’ displays of pride and own emotional response (i.e., admiration, benign and malicious envy) and assessing own effort, compassion towards teammate, antisocial behavior towards a teammate, and affiliation motive.
Method: Longitudinal design (minimum of four testing points per athlete) with measurement occurring pre and post competition
Status: In data collection
Exploring Athlete Perceptions of Cohesion in Coacting Sport Settings
Project lead: Jared Hrabcak
Research questions: What are the perceptions of elite athletes on cohesion and experiences of cohesion within collegiate golf teams?
Method: Qualitative, Semi-structured Interviews
Status: In data collection
Working title: “Impact of Athlete Injury on Teammates Emotions and Team Dynamics: A Scoping Review”
Project lead: Tyler Moore
Research questions: How does an athlete’s injury impact their teammates emotions and the team’s dynamics? Underlying question: what is the relationship between emotions and team dynamics in response to an injury?
Method: Media Analysis, Scoping Review
Status: In data analysis
Passing the Emotional Baton: The Roles Emotions Play Between Teammates
Project lead: Ashlyn Fesperman
Research questions: How does the emotional expression of an athlete post performance impact their teammate’s pre performance emotions and subsequent performance?
Method: Self-confrontational video review
Status: In data analysis
Recent Publications
Beauchamp, M. R., Liu, Y., Dunlop, W. L., Ruissen, G. R., Schmader, T., Harden, S. M., Wolf, S. A., Puterman, E., Sheel, A. W., & Rhodes, R. E. (2021). Psychological mediators of exercise adherence among older adults in a group-based randomized trial. Health Psychology, 40, 166-177. https://doi.org/10.1037/hea0001060
Tamminen, K. A., Kim, J., Danyluck, C., McEwen, C. E., Wagstaff, C. R. D., & Wolf, S. A. (2021). The effect of self- and interpersonal emotion regulation on athlete's anxiety and goal achievement in competition. Psychology of Sport & Exercise, 57, 102034. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2021.102034
Tamminen, K., Wolf, S. A., Dunn, R., & Bissett, J. E. (2022). A review of the interpersonal experience, expression, and regulation of emotions in sport. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, Ahead-Of-Print (Ahead-Of-Print), 1–38. Https://Doi.Org/10.1080/1750984X.2022.2132526
Wolf, S. A., Steiner, S., Jokuschies, N., & Hesselmann, T. (2021). Zusammen sind wir stärker. Ein Aufruf zur Integration von Forschung und Praxis in der Sportpsychologie [We are stronger together. A call for integration of sport psychology research and practice]. Zeitschrift für Sportpsychologie [German Journal of Sport Psychology], 27. https://doi.org/10.1026/1612-5010/a000301
recent Presentations
Fesperman, A., & Wolf, S. A. (presented 2022, March) Passing the Emotional Baton: The Roles Emotions Play Between Teammates. Presented at Annual Conference, Florida State University Applied Sport Psychology, Tallahassee, Florida (Local)
Foti, R., Smith. J & Wolf, S. A. (presented 2022, July). Exploring the impact of interpersonal emotion regulation on the regulator’s affect, behavior, and cognition in competitive sports. Presented at European Congress, European Federation of Sport Psychology, Padova, Italy (International)
Foti, R. & Wolf, S. A. (presented 2022, March). What about me?: exploring the impact of interpersonal emotion regulation on the regulator’s affect, behavior and cognition in competitive sports. Presented at Annual Conference, Florida State University Applied Sport Psychology, Tallahassee, Florida (Local)
Kafka, J. & Wolf, S. A. (presented 2022, March). Sport participation and variation in moral foundations. Presented at Annual Conference, Florida State University Applied Sport Psychology, Tallahassee, Florida (Local)
Moore, T. & Wolf, S. A. (presented 2022, March).”It’s tough”: What athletes tell the media about losing a teammate to injury and it’s impact on team dynamics and individual emotional experiences. Presented at Annual Conference, Florida State University Applied Sport Psychology, Tallahassee, Florida (Local)
Papineau, S. (presented 2022, February). Putting the pieces together: Cross country athletes’ experiences of an athlete-led season long team building activity. Presented at Southeast Regional Conference, Association of Applied Sport Psychology, Bradenton, Florida (Regional)
Smith, J. & Wolf, S. A (presented 2022, March. Rival or role model? How perceived teammates’ displays of pride predict emotional responses and behavioral consequences related to performance. Presented at Annual Conference, Florida State University Applied Sport Psychology, Tallahassee, Florida (Local)
Wilhemy, T. & Wolf, S. A. (presented 2022, February). Are we multiple individuals or one team? Examining team type moderation on the relationships between previous team season success, team tenure and group size and cohesion over time. Presented at Southeast Regional Conference, Association of Applied Sport Psychology, Bradenton, Florida (Regional)
The Wolf Pack
Dr. Svenja A. Wolf
Assistant Professor of Sport Psychology, LEGO Leader
Where are you from? Most recently, Munich, Germany
When you were a child, what was your dream job? Astronaut (until I discovered that required perfect eyesight)
What is your favorite quote? “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” - Neal Donald Walsch
Which of the four LEGO letters is your favorite, and why? Tough to play favorites, but today I will pick the G because (the right) groups do make life better and more enjoyable.
What is your favorite way to spend free time? Hiking in the mountains, ideally with at least one friend.
Ashlyn Fesperman
Sport Psychology Doctoral Student, Graduate Assistant
Where are you from? Savannah, GA
When you were a child, what was your dream job? Honestly a sport psychologist (lol)
What is your favorite quote? The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. -Eleanor Roosevelt
Which of the four LEGO letters is your favorite, and why? My favorite is E because I think having people understand their own emotions and how others’ emotions impact them is so important.
What is your favorite way to spend free time? Spending time with friends and watching some good reality TV
Rebecca R. Foti
Sport Psychology Doctoral Student, Graduate Assistant
Where are you from? Bedford, New Hampshire
When you were a child, what was your dream job? Teacher (and ironically I have stayed true to that path as a current online instructor for undergraduate students)
What is your favorite quote? “If you want something you have never had, you have to do something you’ve never done.” - Thomas Jefferson
Which of the four LEGO letters is your favorite, and why? G, as although I also love emotions, I find it most interesting to consider how emotions from different individuals impact one another and find groups to be essential for success, whether in sports or personal experiences.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? In order to move forward, you must challenge yourself to be uncomfortable, appreciate past experiences and let them go to progress into better opportunities and growth.
Jared Hrabcak
Sport Psychology Doctoral Student, Graduate Assistant
Where are you from? Westerville, Ohio
When you were a child, what was your dream job? Professional Golfer
What is your favorite quote? “The best thing about tomorrow is, I will be better than I was today. That’s the beauty of
tomorrow” - Tiger Woods
Which of the four LEGO letters is your favorite, and why? The G, because there’s something so unique about being a part of something bigger than yourself that changes the way people operate and collaborate. My research interests are all about the nature of groups.
What is your favorite way to spend free time? I love golf and really appreciate any chance I get to spend time on the course.
Tyler Moore
Sport Psychology Doctoral Student, Graduate Assistant
Where are you from? Portsmouth, Virginia
When you were a child, what was your dream job? A teacher (mostly because my mom was one and I wanted to be like her!)
What is your favorite quote? “There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.” - William Shakespeare
Which of the four LEGO letters is your favorite, and why? My favorite LEGO letter is G because groups make it possible to collaborate and take our society places that we could never imagine alone. I also just enjoy being around other people!
What is your dream vacation destination? Bora Bora
Jordan C. Smith
Sport Psychology Doctoral Student, Graduate Assistant at the COE Technology Sandbox
Where are you from? Graduated high school - Solon, Iowa; Where I actually say - New York, NY
When you were a child, what was your dream job? To become a professional volleyball player who was able to medal in the Olympics.
What is your favorite quote? "If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door." - Milton Berle
Which of the four LEGO letters is your favorite, and why? My favorite letter from the four LEGO letters is E for Emotions. I believe emotions play a significant role in our decision making, whether it is positive by driving the passion behind competing or negative by causing anxiety and self-doubt. Emotions can be seen as a catalyst for rational and irrational action.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? The worst thing people can say is no, but at least you swung the bat.
Pups
Talia Aronson
Sport Psychology Master's Student
Where are you from? Atlanta, Georgia
When you were a child, what was your dream job? Olympic swimmer
What is your favorite quote? “It’s the journey that teaches a lot about the destination.” - Drake
Which of the four LEGO letters is your favorite, and why? My favorite letter of LEGO is E because mental health is an important topic, but is it extremely overlooked in athletes. Athletes need to be allowed to express their emotions without feeling belittled.
What is your dream vacation destination? I was able to study abroad my whole freshman year in Valencia, Spain, so I crossed many dream vacation destinations off my list. However, one place I was not able to go to that I hope to visit is Norway.
Preston Hall
Undergraduate Student
Julia Hellman
Sport Psychology Master’s Student
Where are you from? Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
When you were a child, what was your dream job? Teacher
What is your favorite quote? "Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you're right." - Henry Ford
Which of the four LEGO letters is your favorite, and why? My favorite letter of LEGO is G because team cohesion and group dynamics have always been interesting areas of research to me.
Julian Kafka
Sport Psychology Master’s Student
Where are you from? Bethesda, Maryland
When you were a child, what was your dream job? Dog whisperer/trombonist/percussionist/Boston Symphony Orchestra conductor/Broadway lighting designer/psychic detective
What is your favorite quote? “It’s better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.” - Chinese proverb
Which of the four LEGO letters is your favorite, and why? I love them all equally.
What is your favorite way to spend free time? Skiing, playing drums, and playing tennis
Caisa-Marie Lindfors
Psychology Bachelor's Student
Where are you from? Uppsala, Sweden
When you were a child, what was your dream job? Painter
What is your favorite quote? “The man in the arena” - Theodore Roosevelt
Which of the four LEGO letters is your favorite, and why? My favorite letter in the Lego lab is G, as in group. With a group you can feel like you belong and gain more and stronger social bonds with other people.
What is your favorite way to spend free time? Bora Bora
Ashis Mohanty
Sport Psychology Master’s Student
Hannah Nease
Sport Psychology Master’s Student
Where are you from? Bradenton, FL
When you were a child, what was your dream job? A dolphin trainer!
What is your favorite quote? “Incredible change happens in your life when you decide to take control of what you have power over instead of craving control over what you don't." - Steve Maraboli
Which of the four LEGO letters is your favorite, and why? The ‘E’ for emotions is my favorite because it branches into all of the other areas. Emotions are individual and relational, yet something that can be often overlooked.
What is your favorite way to spend free time? Anything outdoors and adventurous!
Alexandria Nolan
Sport Psychology Master’s Student
Seth Papineau
Sport Psychology Master’s Student
Where are you from? Alamosa, Colorado
When you were a child, what was your dream job? Archaeologist
What is your favorite quote? “Today is a beautiful day!” - Coach Damon Martin
Which of the four LEGO letters is your favorite, and why? My favorite letter in LEGO is G because group dynamics are very intriguing to me.
What is your favorite way to spend free time? Playing with my two dogs, Chavo and Olivia.
Dominique Salinas
Sport Psychology Master’s Student
Where are you from? Corpus Christi, TX
When you were a child, what was your dream job? Veterinarian
What is your favorite quote? “When you can’t change the direction of the wind — adjust your sails.” – H. Jackson Brown
Which of the four LEGO letters is your favorite, and why? “O” for organizations. Through being a part of different organizations at different parts of your life I truly believe you learn about yourself, find yourself, and get to learn and experience different views and perspectives from the other people in the organization.
What is your favorite way to spend free time? Walk my cat on a leash, workout, watch Netflix, read, and tend to my plant collection
Yanai Sayag
Sport Psychology Master’s Student
Where are you from? Yuvalim, Israel
When you were a child, what was your dream job? Professional Soccer Player
What is your favorite quote? “When you forgive, you love. And when you love, God’s light shines upon you” -Into the Wild
Which of the four LEGO letters is your favorite, and why? “G” because I see the magic that is created when people are merging in a group. Whether it’s family, friend groups, sport teams, or teams at the workplace, the power generated by the connection of people is special to me.
What is your favorite way to spend free time? I love spending time with my friends and playing soccer, when the two happen to co-occur, it is absolutely the best time.
Benjamin Seebold
B.S. in Psychology from the University of Rhode Island
Sport Psychology Master’s Student
Where are you from? York, Pennsylvania
When you were a child what was your dream job? Physical therapist
What is your favorite quote? “The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” - Michael Altshuler
Which of the four LEGO letters is your favorite, and why? My favorite letter of LEGO is O because I am very interested in the dynamics and interactions of sport organizations on all levels.
What is your favorite way to spend free time? In my free time I like to stay active. Whether I’m in the gym or participating in recreational sports, I always enjoy working up a sweat.
Abbey Thomas
Sport Psychology Master’s Student
Where are you from? Raleigh, NC
When you were a child, what was your dream job? Dolphin Trainer
What is your favorite quote? “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts”-Winston S. Churchill
Which of the four LEGO letters is your favorite, and why? “E” for emotions, because even though we all come from different backgrounds, emotions are universal. Since we all share emotions, they help us relate to others and build relationships.
What is your dream vacation destination? Lake Como, Italy
Taylor Wilhelmy
Sport Psychology MS Graduate
Where are you from? Jupiter, FL
When you were a child, what was your dream job? Neonatologist
What is your favorite quote? “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” – Tim Notke
Which of the four LEGO letters is your favorite, and why? My favorite letter would have to be G because I have always had interest in researching the development of cohesion amongst athletic teams and how team dynamics vary between individual and team sports.
What is your dream vacation destination? Australia
THE DEN (ALUMNI)
Carly Block PhD Sport Psychology ’22, member 2021-2022
- Next stop: Boston University Lecturer
Daniel Goicouria BS Psychology ’22, member 2022
- Next stop: Executive Producer Blue Wire
Nick Russo MS Sport Psychology ’22, member 2021-22
- Next stop: PsyD Student at Marshall University
Jonathan Stern MS Sport Psychology ’21, member 2021-22
Collaborators
In Research
Dr. David Eccles, Florida State University
Dr. M. Blair Evans, Western University
Dr. Marc W. Heerdink, University of Amsterdam
Dr. Franziska Lautenbach, Humboldt University of Berlin
Dr. Katherine Tamminen, University of Toronto
Dr. Gerben A. van Kleef, University of Amsterdam
Dr. Svenja Wachsmuth, University of Tübingen
Dr. V. Vanessa Wergin, The University of Queensland
In the Field
Funding Sources
You can reach the entire LEGO Team here. In addition, we are on Twitter and TikTok (@LEGOFSU).
If you are interested in a particular project, please contact the respective LEGO lead person (see The People above). If you are interested in teaming up with the LEGO for research or knowledge translation, you can also contact Dr. Svenja Wolf directly.
If you would like to learn more about FSU’s Sport Psychology programs, please visit https://education.fsu.edu/sport-psychology.
