51±¾É«

My current research interests include role commitment/acceptance in sport, the measurement and correlates of cohesion, and the application of group dynamics across contexts (sport, exercise, organizations). My research related to cohesion in youth physical activity groups was supported by a 3 year standard research grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC; 2005-2008) and continued with support through Ontario’s Ministry of Research and Innovation Early Researcher Award program (2007-2012). Funding from SSHRC also supported work related to understanding athlete perceptions of role commitment and acceptance (2013-2017). More recent work focused on the physical activity and social integration of New Canadians via a Partnership Development Grant (SSHRC 2019-2022) in colloboration with Laurentian University, Focus for Ethnic Women, KW Multicultural Centre, City of Kitchener, Region of Waterloo Public Health, and the Sun Life Financial Centre for Physically Active Communities. I have published my research in top sport and exercise psychology journals, as a co-author of the book Group Dynamics in Sport (2020; 5th edition; Fitness Information Technology), and as a co-editor of Group Dynamics in Exercise and Sport Psychology (2014; Routledge) and The Power of Groups in Youth Sport (2020; Academic Press/Elsevier).

• 51±¾É« Research Chair in Group Dynamics and Physical Activity (2019-present)
• Canada Research Chair in Group Dynamics and Physical Activity (2009-2014; renewed 2014-2019)
• 51±¾É« Merit Award 2011, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2023
• Early Researcher Award from the Ontario Ministry of Research Innovation (2007)
• Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Women’s Soccer Coach of the Year (2001)

I am willing to supervise graduate students (Masters and Doctoral students) in the areas of sport and exercise psychology with a specific interest in group dynamics. Please indicate interest via email outlining specific research areas as well as attaching an informal copy of your transcript(s) and a current CV/resume.

Books

• Beauchamp, M.R., & Eys, M.A. (2025). Group dynamics in exercise and sport psychology (3^rd edition). Oxford: Routledge.

• Eys, M. A., Evans, M. B., & Benson, A. (2020). Group dynamics in sport (5^th ed.).  Morgantown, WV: Fitness Information Technology.

• Bruner, M. W., Eys, M. A., & Martin, L. J. (2020). The power of groups in youth sport. Elsevier.

• Beauchamp, M.R., & Eys, M.A. (2014). Group dynamics in exercise and sport psychology (2^nd edition). Oxford: Routledge.

• Carron, A. V., & Eys, M. A. (2012). Group dynamics in sport (4^th ed.).  Morgantown, WV: Fitness Information Technology.

• Beauchamp, M.R., & Eys, M.A. (2007). Group dynamics in exercise and sport psychology: Contemporary themes. Oxford: Routledge.

• Carron, A. V., Hausenblas, H. & Eys, M. A. (2005). Group dynamics in sport (3^rd ed.).  Morgantown, WV: Fitness Information Technology.

Recent journal articles (2015 to 2024)

• McGuire, C. S., Eys, M., Dithurbide, L., & Martin, L. J. (in press). “It’s allowing space for vulnerability”: Exploring athlete experiences with trust in interdependent sport. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology.

• Kim, J., Eys, M., & Robertson-Wilson, J. (2025). People who approve of one’s physical activity vs. people who are influential: A randomized cross-over experiment to compare normative referent elicitation procedures. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 77, Article 102795.

• Revell, C., Gayman, A., Benson, A., & Eys, M. (2024). Drawing team members together: Intersection of socialization tactics and proactivity with cohesion. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology. Advance online publication:

• Coleman, T., & Eys, M. (2024). The role of parents toward the group dynamics of youth sport teams. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 74, e102676.

• Kim, J., Godfrey, M., Coleman, T., & Eys, M. (2024). Role dynamics in individual sport teams. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, 13(4), 372-388. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/spy0000359

• Coholic, D., Eys, M., Shaw, K., & Rienguette, M. (2023). Exploring the benefits of an arts-based mindfulness group intervention for youth experiencing challenges in schooling. Sage Open. DOI: 10.1177/21582440231192111.

• Kim, J., Eys, M., & Robertson-Wilson, J. (2023). Attraction toward physical activity as a moderator of socio-cognitive predictors of physical activity. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2023.102463

• Kim, J., Eys, M., & Robertson-Wilson, J. (2022). Injunctive norms as social pressures: Does autonomy support moderate the relationship between injunctive norms and autonomy satisfaction in physical activity? Psychology & Health. DOI:10.1080/08870446.2022.2089885

• Gayman, A. M., Eys, M., & Coleman, T. (2022). Group dynamics in Canadian recreational team sports later in life. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 60, 102137. DOI :10.1016/j.psychsport.2022.102137

• Godfrey, M., Kim, J., & Eys, M. (2022). Ethnic diversity and cohesion in interdependent team sport contexts. Group Dynamics : Theory, Research, and Practice, 26(1), 43-57. https://doi.org/10.1037/gdn0000162

• Kim, J., Godfrey, M., & Eys, M. (2022). A double-edged sword : The nature of team comedians in sport teams. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 34, 204-227.

• Kim, J., Godfrey, M., McLean, E., & Eys, M. (2021). Factorial and criterion validity of the Role Ambiguity Scale – Brief (RASB) in team sport contexts. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 19, 698-708. https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197X.2021.1907767

• Gottlieb, M., Eys, M., Hardy, J., Benson, A. J. (2021). Valued insight or act of insubordination? How context shapes coaches’ perceptions of challenge-oriented followership. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 43, 488-496.

• Godfrey, M., Coleman, T., & Eys, M. (2021). Ethnic diversity and cohesion in interdependent youth sport contexts. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 53, 101881.

• Coleman, T., Godfrey, M., López-Gajardo, M. A., Leo, F. M., & Eys, M. (2021). Do it for the team: Youth perceptions of cohesion and role commitment in interdependent sport. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, 10

• Kim, J., Eys, M., & Robertson-Wilson, J. (2021). “If they do it, so can I”: A test of a moderated serial mediation model of descriptive norms, self-efficacy, and perceived similarity for predicting physical activity. Psychology and Health, 36, 701-718.

• Leo, F. M., Lopez-Gajardo, M. A., Gonzalez-Ponce, I., Garcia Calvo, T., Benson, A., & Eys, M. (2020). How socialization tactics relate to role clarity, cohesion, and intentions to return in team sports. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 50, 101735. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2020.101735

• Eys, M., Beauchamp, M. R., Godfrey, M., Dawson, K., Loughead, T. M., & Schinke, R. J. (2020). Role commitment and acceptance in a sport context. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 42, 89-101.

• Kim, J., Coleman, T., Godfrey, M., Vierimaa, M., & Eys, M. (2020). The dynamics of informal role development within sport teams : A case study approach. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 48. doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2020.101670

• Bruner, M.W., Eys, M. Carreau, J.M., McLaren, C., & Van Woezik, R. (2020). Utilizing the Team Environment AssessMent (TEAM) to enhance team building in sport. The Sport Psychologist, 34, 62-70.

• Kim, J., Godfrey, M., & Eys, M. (2020). The antecedents and outcomes of informal roles in interdependent sport teams. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, 9, 277-291. Doi : https://doi.org/10.1037/spy0000179

• Godfrey, M. & Eys, M. (2020). Parental involvement in the transmission and development of youth athletes’ role responsibilities. International Journal of Kinesiology in Higher Education, 4, 1-17.

• Godfrey, M., Kim, J., Eluere, M., & Eys, M. (2020). Diversity in cultural diversity research : A scoping review. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 13, 128-146. https://doi.10.1080/1750984X.2019.1616316

• Kim, J., Eys, M., Robertson-Wilson, J., Dunn, E., & Rellinger, K. (2019). Subjective norms matter for physical activity intentions more than previously thought: Reconsidering measurement and analytical approaches. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 43, 359-367.

• Petersen, B., Eys, M., Watson, K., & Evans, M. B. (2019). Taking stock of youth sport group dynamics research : A scoping review. Kinesiology Review, 8, 260-268.

• Eys, M., Bruner, M. W., & Martin, L. J. (2019). The dynamic group environment in sport and exercise. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 42, 40-47

• Evans, M. B., Graupensperger, S. A., Benson, A. J., Eys, M., Hastings, B., & Gottschall, J. S. (2019). Group structure and entitativity in group fitness : Considering groupness at within- and between-group levels. Psychology & Health, 34, 715-732.

• Benson, A. J., Azizi, E., Evans, M. B., Eys, M., & Bray, S. R. (2019). How innuendo shapes impressions of task and intimacy groups. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. Doi : 10.1016/j.jesp.2019.103854

• Coholic, D., Dano, K., Sindori, S., & Eys, M. (2019). Group work in mindfulness-based interventions with youth: A scoping review [Special issue]. Social Work with Groups, 42, 259-274. DOI: 10.1080/01609513.2019.1571764

• Graupensperger, S. A., Gottschall, J. S., Benson, A. J., Eys, M., Hastings, B., & Evans, M. B. (in press). Perceptions of groupness during fitness classes positively predict recalled perceptions of exertion, enjoyment, and affective valence : An intensive longitudinal investigation. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, 8, 290-304.

• Martin, L. J., & Eys, M. (2019). Setting the conditions for success : A case study involving the selection process for the Canadian Forces Snowbird Demonstration Team. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 31, 116-133.

• McEwan, D., Zumbo, B. D., Eys, M. A., & Beauchamp, M. R. (2018). The development and psychometric properties of the Multidimensional Assessment of Teamwork in Sport. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 40, 60-72.

• Kim, J., Gardant, D., Bosselut, G., & Eys, M. (2018). Athlete personality characteristics and informal role occupancy in interdependent sport teams. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 39, 193-203.

• Coholic, D. A., Eys, M., McAlister, H., Sugeng, S., & Smith, D. (2018). A mixed method pilot study exploring the benefits of an arts-based mindfulness group intervention with adults experiencing anxiety and depression. Social Work in Mental Health, 16, 556-572.

• Eys, M., & Brawley, L. R. (2018). Reflections on cohesion research with sport and exercise groups. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 12, e12379. DOI: 10.1111/spc3. 12379

• McKie, G. L., Islam, H., Townsend, L. K., Robertson-Wilson, J., Eys, M., & Hazell, T. J. (2018). Modified sprint interval training protocols: Physiological and psychological responses to four weeks of training. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 43, 595-601.

• Heuzé, J. P., Eys, M., Dubuc, M., Bosselut, G., & Couture, R. (2018). Cohesion, psychological needs, and intrinsic motivation in youth team sport context. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 49, 55-73.

• Boroumand, S., Eys, M., & Benson, A. J. (2018). How status conflict undermines athletes’ willingness to help new teammates. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 358-365.

• Robertson-Wilson, J., Eys, M., & Hazell, T. J. (2017). Commentary : Why sprint interval training is inappropriate for a largely sedentary population. Frontiers in Psychology, 8. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01603

• Kim, J., Dunn, E., Rellinger, K., Robertson-Wilson, J., & Eys, M. (2019). Social norms and physical activity in American and Canadian contexts : A scoping review. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 12, 26-48.

• Benson, A. J., Bruner, M. W., & Eys, M. (2017). A social identity approach to understanding the conditions associated with antisocial behaviors among teammates in female teams. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, 6, 129-142.

• Benson, A., & Eys, M. (2017). Understanding the consequences of newcomer integration processes : The Sport Team Socialization Tactics Questionnaire. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 39, 13-28.

• Townsend, L. K., Islam, H., Dunn, E., Eys, M., Robertson-Wilson, J., & Hazell, T. J. (2017). Modified sprint interval training protocols Part II : Psychological responses. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 42, 347-353.

• McEwan, D., Ruissen, G., Eys, M.A., Zumbo, B. D., Ruissen, G. R., & Beauchamp, M. R. (2017). The effectiveness of teamwork training on teamwork behaviors and team performance : A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled interventions. PLoS ONE, 12(1) : e0169604. Doi : 10.1371/journal.pone.0169604

• McLaren, C. D., Newland, A., Eys, M., & Newton, M. (2017). Peer-initiated motivational climate and group cohesion in youth sport. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 29, 88-100

• Tamminen, K. A., Palmateer, T. M., Denton, M., Sabiston, C., Crocker, P. R. E., Eys, M.,  Smith, B. (2016) Exploring emotions as social phenomena among Canadian varsity athletes. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 27, 28-38.

• Benson, A., Siska, P., Eys, M., Priklerova, S., & Slepicka, P. (2016). A prospective multilevel examination of the relationship between cohesion and team performance in elite youth sport. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 27, 39-46.

• Benson, A. J., Eys, M., & Irving, G. (2016). Great expectations : How expected versus actual role experiences relate to perceptions of group cohesion. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 38, 160-172

• Benson, A. J., Hardy, J., & Eys, M. A. (2016). Contextualizing leaders’ interpretations of followership. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 37, 949-966

• Benson, A. J., Evans, B., & Eys, M. A. (2016). Organizational socialization in team sport environments. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 26, 463-473.

• Coholic, D., & Eys, M. A. (2016). Benefits of an arts-based mindfulness group intervention for vulnerable children. Child & Adolescent Social Work Journal, 33, 1-13

• Wolf, S. A., Eys, M. A., Sadler, P., & Kleinert, J. (2015). Appraisal in a team context: Perceptions of cohesion predict competition importance and prospects for coping. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 37, 489-499.

• Benson, A. J., Evans, M. B., Surya, M., Martin, L., & Eys, M. A. (2015). Embracing athletic identity in the face of threat. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, 4, 303-315.

• Wolf, S. A., Eys, M. A., & Kleinert, J. (2015). Predictors of the precompetitive anxiety response: Relative impact and prospects for anxiety regulation. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 13, 344-358.

• Eys, M. A., Ohlert, J., Evans, B., Wolf, S., Martin, L., VanBussel, M., & Steins, C. (2015). Cohesion and performance for female and male sport teams. The Sport Psychologist, 29, 97-109.

• Bruner, M. W., Eys, M. A., Evans, B., & Wilson, K. S. (2015). Interdependence and social identity in youth sport teams. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 27, 351-358.

• Surya, M., Benson, A. J., Balish, S. M., & Eys, M. A. (2015). The influence of injury on group interaction processes. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 27, 52-66.

• McLaren, C. D., Eys, M. A., & Murray, R. (2015). A coach-initiated motivational climate intervention and athletes’ perceptions of group cohesion in youth sport. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, 4, 113-126.

• Evans, M. B. & Eys, M. A. (2015). Collective goals and shared tasks: Interdependence structure and perceptions of individual sport team environments. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 25, e139-e148.

Website

• For a full listing of publications visit the Group Dynamics and Physical Activity Library page.

Winter 2025: 

• KP484 Seminar in Psychology of Sport and Exercise
• KP622 Research Methods in Kinesiology
• PS470 Seminar in Social Psychology