Book chapter
Introduction to Esports Psychology
The Psychology of Esports Performance, pp.3-12
Routledge, 1st
2026
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Abstract
This chapter establishes esports psychology as a distinct interdisciplinary field that addresses the unique cognitive, emotional, and technological demands of competitive video gaming. We explore the historical evolution of esports from informal arcade competitions to a globalized professional industry, examining how competitive gaming has developed distinctive psychological challenges that differ fundamentally from traditional sports. These challenges include rapid decision-making under extreme time pressure, complex multitasking demands, virtual team dynamics across digital platforms, and the psychological impacts of "always-on" practice environments. The chapter highlights unique stressors such as online toxicity, massive global spectatorship through streaming platforms, public scrutiny via social media, and the cognitive load of prolonged screen-based training and competition. We argue that the field requires esports-specific theoretical frameworks and methodologies rather than simply adapting traditional sports psychology approaches. The chapter demonstrates the need for targeted interventions that address the distinctive characteristics of esports, including the technological mediation of performance, career precocity among young players, and the intersection of digital and physical performance demands.
Details
- Title
- Introduction to Esports Psychology
- Creators
- Benjamin T. Sharpe - University of ChichesterDylan R. Poulus - Movember Foundation
- Contributors
- Benjamin T. Sharpe (Editor) - University of ChichesterDylan R. Poulus (Editor) - Movember Foundation
- Publication Details
- The Psychology of Esports Performance, pp.3-12
- Publisher
- Routledge; Oxon, UK
- Edition
- 1st
- Identifiers
- 991013369945902368
- Copyright
- © 2026 selection and editorial matter, Benjamin T. Sharpe and Dylan R. Poulus; individual chapters, the contributors.
- Academic Unit
- Human Sciences; Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Book chapter