About us

The Department of Performance Psychology, headed by Prof. Dr. Dr. Markus Raab, together with the Department of Health & Social Psychology, forms the Psychological Institute of the German Sport University Cologne.

Currently, our department has about 30 members of staff. Besides Prof. Dr. Dr. Markus Raab, several postdocs, PhD students, IT staff, a secretary and assistants are employed here (see Personnel). At our Dept., interns get insights into research, teaching, and applied work of sports psychologists.

The main research focus of the department is the study of behavior, taking into account neuropsychological procedures. In both basic and applied research, we investigate the bidirectional relationships between the four domains of perception, emotion, cognition, and action. Exemplary contents are motor learning and control, implicit/explicit learning, feedback and instruction, and judgment and decision-making. Diagnostics and intervention in all skill levels of various sports are also covered. Since 2021, the graduate school "Embodied Choices Cologne (ECCo)" is located in our department.

More information on our research areas, lab equipment and research projects can be found under Research.

An important part of our work consists of teaching in various Bachelor, Master, and Physical Education degree programmes in the context of Sport Science. One focus of our teaching is the Institute's own Master programmeM.Sc. Psychology in Sport and Exercise). Within the framework of our teaching, we emphasize interactive and research-oriented communication of content. For example, part of our teaching takes place directly in our research laboratories.

The knowledge that we generate, particularly in applied research projects, is intended to directly benefit practice, for example in education/training courses, workshops, coaching and consulting. In order to optimize transfer, we work closely with national and international clubs and associations as well as various target groups (athletes, coaches, parents). We also regularly communicate the results of our research through various channels (press, social media).

Achieving peak performance through sustainable practices for a lasting impact. We agree and adhere to the university guidelines in actions such as reducing CO² emissions through sustainable traveling (e.g., conferences, cooperation partners), reduction of printing, and, in addition, we consider social sustainability dimensions (e.g., recruitment, personal and work-related development, weekly meetings).