Talent Development and Creativity

You

• obtain an internationally-recognized MSc. degree in psychology;
• become an expert in a domain that is, and will remain, of interest to companies, schools, sport clubs, cultural institutions and more;
• get taught by renowned experts in the field;
• will put your knowledge into practice;
• can, if you are interested in sports, obtain an official sport psychology certificate, offered by the Dutch Society of Sport Psychology (VSPN);
• can obtain a coaching certificate;
• are actively supported in working on your employability in the fields of research and practice.

The program consists of (minimum) 10 EC Foundation courses, a 5 EC Skills course (coaching), a 5 EC Methods course, 10 EC Free choice courses, 10 EC Internship, and 20 EC Master thesis.

Note: This is only possible if it can be integrated in the study schedule and when an agreement with the host university is in place.

In the program Talent Development and Creativity you are prepared for the job market. In almost any domain (work, education, sports, arts), the selection and development of talent and creativity is high on the agenda. Pressing questions are:

1) How can we detect and select talented and creative individuals?
2) How do talent and creativity actually develop?
3) What strategies can we use to stimulate talent and creativity?

Exactly these questions are the ones addressed in our master programme.

The skills you develop in our program are broadly applicable. Following this MSc. Program, there are students who have chosen the direction of coaching and teaching, sport psychology, or working in an (inter)national company. Accordingly, students who graduated from our program have found good jobs in different domains, including:

• Sport psychologist at a professional sports club
• Teacher at a school or university
• Director of a professional training and coaching company
• Selection psychologist at the Ministry of Defense
• Lifestyle coach
• Embedded scientist at the head quarter of BMW
• Other jobs in coaching and teaching, recruitment, policy advising and consultancy

Career services BSS
Where do you want to work after your studies? You can contact Career Services already during your studies. They will help you orientate on your career, develop your skills, apply for jobs and find an internship.

Staff members involved in MSc. program Talent Development and Creativity have provided important contributions to the selection and development of talent and creativity in different domains. A brief selection of examples is provided below.

Resilient Athletes (2019 – today)
Talented athletes are exposed to various physical and mental stressors, such as injuries and defeats. To deal with these stressors, athletes need to be resilient. Resilience is thus a crucial concept in talent development. In this project, we collaborate with psychologists, movement scientists, and data scientists to measure, analyze, and improve the resilience of athletes. Different professional sports organizations are involved, and facilitate this project: FC Groningen, PSV, Vitesse, Dutch Royal Football Association – KNVB, Dutch Olympic Committee * Dutch Sports Confederation (NOC*NSF). Read more about the project Resilient Athletes.

Your Special Forces (2018-today)
The commandos of the special forces need to be prepared to optimally perform is very stressful situations. In collaboration with the Special Forces Unit of the Royal Netherlands Army, we have established an online platform to do psychological tests, and collect psychological and physiological data during the intensive training program. Key questions that we are answering using our platform are: What skills are needed to perform in exceptional circumstances? How can we develop such talents? What are the effects of psychological training on the skills of the operators? How can we improve the selection procedure for the Special Forces? The results of this project will provide very relevant insights into the selection and development of talent in fields in which people need to perform under stressful circumstances.

Talent selection in team sports (2017-today)
In collaboration with the Dutch Royal Football Association and Football Club Groningen, we are designing and testing new ways to select soccer players. The two most important aims of this project are: 1) Provide better, more systematic ways of scouting players, and 2) construct test environments in which important soccer skills (e.g., psychological skills, passing, defending, attacking) can be assessed in the most valid way. The ultimate aim of the project is that we can come to better predictions of soccer players’ future performance.

Curious Minds (2009-today)
This national research project ("Talentenkracht" in Dutch) has been conducted by different researchers and PhD students of our department. Curious Minds is focused on the measurement and stimulation of scientific talent in primary education. It started several years ago and has resulted in a list of scientific articles, as well as teaching instruments for schools, coaching packages for teachers, and a handbook on talent development in primary education. The (Dutch) website is talentenkrachtgroningen.nl. Currently, researchers and practitioners are extending the Curious Minds approach to other fields, including music, arts, and sports.

Selection of Academic Staff
Prof. dr. Nico W. Van Yperen Professor Sport and Performance Psychology. Research expertise: Competence and motivation across achievement settings, including work, sports, and education.
Dr. Ruud J. R. Den Hartigh Professor Talent Development and Creativity, with a special focus on the sports and performance context. Research expertise: Performance processes in sports and beyond, in particular talent selection and –development, psychological momentum, and resilience.
Prof. dr. Marijn W. G. Van Dijk Research expertise: Talent development in teacher-student interactions, mostly in primary education and the arts.
Prof dr. Rob R. Meijer Research expertise: Methods, measurements, and instruments in Psychology. Design of tests that optimally predict future performance in work, education, and sports.
Dr. Barbara Huijgen Research expertise: Talent identification and –development in sports from a multidimensional perspective.
Dr. Susan Niessen Research expertise: Talent assessment methods in the context of higher education, work, and sports.
Dr. Lisette de Jonge Hoekstra Research expertise: Creativity in the context of education and music, in particular how creativity comes about through interaction between individuals.
Dr. Henderien Steenbeek Research expertise: Talent development in the domains of education and the arts, and how this can be stimulated through teaching and coaching.
Dr. Ralf F. A. Cox Research expertise: Creative expressions and experiences in different fields, including arts and improvisation theatre.

Selection of recent exposure on talent development & creativity

• Scannen in het voetbal (Barbara Huijgen, Universiteit van Nederland, 2024)
• Veerkrachtige topsporters en betere sportprestaties dankzij het Resilient Athletes-project (Ruud den Hartigh, Sportinnovator, 2022)
• Omgaan met spanning en het verbeteren van sportprestaties (Nico van Yperen, NOS news, national television, 2022)
• Driekwart van commando's in spé haalt de opleiding niet, waarom is dat? (Ruud den Hartigh, Algemeen Dagblad, 2021).
• Heeft het zin om topsporters op (zeer) jonge leeftijd te scouten? (Tom Bergkamp, NPO Radio 1 Focus).
  
• Covid-19: uitstel grote sportevenementen vergt mentale veerkracht (Nico van Yperen, wetenchap.nu, 2020).
• Voetballen zonder fans: wie krijgt er vleugels in de Bundesliga, welke spits verkrampt? (Nico van Yperen, De Volkskrant, 2020).
• Topsporter zal nieuwe zekerheden moeten zoeken (Nico van Yperen, Trouw, 2020).
• Hoe gaan sporters om met tegenslag? (Nico van Yperen, Studium Generale, 2020).
• Vier topsporters stoppen in paar weken tijd: toeval? (Nico van Yperen, De Stentor, 2020).
• SPORTLAB SEDOC – PIEKEN (Nico van Yperen, Avro Tros, 2019).
• Technologie tegen sportblessures (Ruud den Hartigh, Radio 1 – Langs de Lijn en Omstreken, 2019).
• Pakt FC Groningen met behulp van data eerder een prijs? (Ruud den Hartigh, RTV Noord, 2019).
• NBA Finals: How Momentum Could Decide the Outcome of Raptors vs. Warriors (Ruud den Hartigh, Inverse, 2019).
• Waarom laat de ene ploeg het hoofd hangen na een achterstand, terwijl de andere snoeihard terugkomt? (Den Hartigh, R. (2019, De Volkskrant)
• Gebruik ‘studeren op proef’ als selectie (Karen M. Stegers-Jager & Susan Niessen, De Volkskrant, 2019)
• De slechtste manier om een goede werknemer te vinden? Een sollicitatiegesprek (Susan Niessen, De Correspondent, 2019)
• Predicting speed skating performance with automatized analyses (Ruud den Hartigh, 2018)
• Daar zit toch een goede kop op? Beter voorspellen van sportprestaties met inzichten uit de selectiepsychologie. (Meijer, H., Niessen, A., Frencken, W., & den Hartigh, J. R., 2018, SportGericht, 72, 18-23).
• Sport Science Blog by Prof. dr. Nico van Yperen: Dutch columns on the psychological factors of sports and performance.

Selection of our staff members’ recent international scientific articles on talent development & creativity

• Verbeek, J., van der Steen, S., Van Yperen, N. W., & den Hartigh, R. J. R. (2023). What do we currently know about the development of talent? A systematic review in the soccer context. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology.
• Neumann, M., Niessen, A. S. M., Hurks, P. P. M., & Meijer, R. R. (2023). Holistic and mechanical combination in psychological assessment: Why algorithms are underutilized and what is needed to increase their use. International Journal of Selection and Assessment, 31(2), 267-285.
• Hendriks, L. H., Steenbeek, H. W., Bisschop Boele, E. H., & van Geert, P. L. C. (2023). Promoting creative autonomy support in school music education: An intervention study targeting interaction. Frontiers in Education, 7, Article 1102011.
• Kolman, N. S., Huijgen, B. C. H ., Visscher, C., & Elferink-Gemser, M. T. (2023). Technical skills in complex tennis situations: Dutch talented players U15 compared to players U17. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 5, Article 1107740.
• Meijer, R. R., Niessen, S., & Neumann, M. (2023). Psychological and educational testing and decision making: The lack of knowledge dissemination in textbooks and test guidelines. In L. A. Van der Ark, W. H. M. Emons, & R. R. Meijer (Eds.), Essays on contemporary psychometrics (pp. 47-67). (Methodology of educational measurement and assessment). Springer.
• Klingner, F. C., Huijgen, B. C. H., & Kempe, M. (2023). The heat is on: Investigating the effect of psychological pressure on competitive performance in elite surfing. Journal of Sports Sciences, 41(6), 596-604.
• Van Yperen, N. W. (2022). Focus, vertrouwen, veerkracht: en andere mentale aspecten van sport en presteren. University of Groningen Press.
• Huijzer, R., Jeronimus, B. F., Reehoorn, A., Blaauw, F., Baatenburg de Jong, M., De Jonge, P., & Den Hartigh, R. (2022). Personality Traits of Special Forces Operators: Comparing Commandos, Candidates, and Controls. Sport, Excercise and Performance Psychology, 11(3), 369–381.
• Van Yperen, N. W. (2022). In the context of a sports match, the goal to win is most important, right? Suggestive evidence for a hierarchical achievement goal system. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 60, Article 102134.
• Schino, G., van Klaveren, L.-M., Gallegos González, H. G., Cox, R. F. A., Nori, F., & van Heusden, B. (2022). Measuring Experiences of Art in the Museum: Exploring Methodology for Getting It Right. Itinera, 2022(23), 277-302.
• Klingner, F. C., Huijgen, B. C. H., Den Hartigh, R. J. R., & Kempe, M. (2022). Technical–tactical skill assessments in small-sided soccer games: A scoping review. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 17(2), 885-902.
• Bergkamp, T. L. G., Meijer, R. R., den Hartigh, R. J. R., Frencken, W. G. P., & Niessen, A. S. M. (2022). Examining the reliability and predictive validity of performance assessments by soccer coaches and scouts: The influence of structured collection and mechanical combination of information. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 63, 102257.
• Den Hartigh, R. J. R., Meerhoff, L. R. A., Van Yperen, N. W., Neumann, N. D., Brauers, J. J., Frencken, W. G. P., Emerencia, A., Hill, Y., Platvoet, S., Atzmueller, M., Lemmink, K. A. P. M., & Brink, M. S. (2022). Resilience in sports: a multidisciplinary, dynamic, and personalized perspective. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology.
• Zwerwer, L., & Den Hartigh, R. J. R. (2022). The dynamics underlying the rise of star performers. Nonlinear dynamics, psychology, and life sciences, 26(2), 163-186.
• Jansen, M. G. T., Elferink-Gemser, M. T., Hoekstra, A. E., Faber, I. R., & Huijgen, B. C. H. (2021). Design of a Tennis-Specific Agility Test (TAT) for Monitoring Tennis Players. Journal of human kinetics, 80(1), 239-250.
• Bergkamp, T. L. G., Frencken, W. G. P., Niessen, A. S. M., Meijer, R. R., & den Hartigh, R. J. R. (2021). How soccer scouts identify talented players. European Journal of Sport Science .
• Menninga, A., van Geert, P. L. G., van Vondel, S., Steenbeek, H. W. , & Van Dijk, M. W. G. (2021). Teacher-Student Interaction Patterns Change During an Early Science Teaching Intervention . Research in science education.
• Hill, Y. , Meijer, R. R. , Van Yperen, N. W. , Michelakis, G., Barisch, S., & Den Hartigh, R. J. R. (2020). Non-ergodicity in Protective Factors of Resilience in Athletes . Sport, Excercise and Performance Psychology .
• Neumann, M. , Niessen, A. S. M. , & Meijer, R. R. (2020). Implementing evidence-based assessment and selection in organizations: A review and an agenda for future research. Organizational Psychology Review .
• Hill, Y. , Den Hartigh, R. J. R. , Cox, R. F. A. , De Jonge, P. , & Van Yperen, N. W. (2020). Predicting Resilience Losses in Dyadic Team Performance. Nonlinear dynamics, psychology, and life sciences , 24, 327-351.
• Bergkamp, T. L. G. , Den Hartigh, R. J. R. , Frencken, W. G. P., Niessen, A. S. M. , & Meijer, R. R. (2020). The validity of small-sided games in predicting 11-vs-11 soccer game performance. PLoS ONE , 15 (9), [e0239448].
  
• Van Yperen, N. W., den Hartigh, R. J. R., Visscher, C., & Elferink-Gemser, M. (in press). Student-athletes’ need for competence, effort, and attributions of success and failure: Differences between sport and school. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology.
• Meijer, R. R., Neumann, M., Hemker, B. T., Niessen, S. 2020). A tutorial on mechanical decision-making for personnel and educational selection. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, [3002].
• Den Hartigh, R. J. R., van Yperen, N. W., & Gernigon, C. (2020). Psychological Momentum in Football: The Impact of a Last-Minute Equalizer in a Knock-Out Match. Science and Medicine in Football, 4, 178-181.
  
• Van Yperen, N. W. (2020). Achievement goals and self-regulation in the sport context. In Social Psychology: Handbook of Basic Principles (third ed.). New York: Guilford Press.
• Niessen, S., & Meijer, R. R. (2020). Character-Based Admissions Criteria in the United States and in Europe: Rationale, Evidence, and Some Critical Remarks. In M. E. Oliveri, & C. Wendler (Eds.), Higher Education Admission Practices: An International Perspective (pp. 76-95). Cambridge University Press.
• Kupers, E., & Van Dijk, M. (2020). Creativity in interaction: The dynamics of teacher-student interactions during a musical composition task. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 36, [100648].
• Niessen, A. S. M., Meijer, R. R., &Tendeiro, J. N. (2019). Gender‐Based Differential Prediction by Curriculum Samples for College Admissions. Educational Measurement: Issues and Practice, 38, 33-45.
• Bergkamp, T. L. G., Niessen, A. S. M., Den Hartigh, R. J. R., Frencken, W. G. P., & Meijer, R. R. (2019). Methodological Issues in Soccer Talent Identification Research. Sports Medicine, 49, 1317–1335.
• Niessen, A. S. M., Meijer, R. R., & Tendeiro, J. N. (2018). Admission testing for higher education: A multi-cohort study on the validity of high-fidelity curriculum-sampling tests. PLoS ONE, 13(6).
• Den Hartigh, R. J. R., Hill, Y., & van Geert, P. L. C. (2018). The development of talent in sports: A dynamic network approach. Complexity, 2018, [9280154].
• Kupers, E., Van Dijk, M., & Lehmann-Wermser, A. (2018). Creativity in the Here and Now: A Generic, Micro-Developmental Measure of Creativity. Frontiers in Psychology.
• Den Hartigh, R. J. R., Niessen, A. S. M., Frencken, W. G. P., & Meijer, R. R. (2018). Selection procedures in sports: Improving predictions of athletes’ future performance. European Journal of Sport Science, 18, 1191-1198.
• van Vondel, S., Steenbeek, H., van Dijk, M., & van Geert, P. (2018). The Effects of Video Feedback Coaching for Teachers on Scientific Knowledge of Primary Students. Research in science education, 48, 301-324.
• Bergkamp, T., Niessen, A., den Hartigh, J. R., Frencken, W., & Meijer, R. R. (2018). Comment on: "Talent Identification in Sport: A Systematic Review". Sports Medicine, 48, 1517-1519.
• Den Hartigh, R. J. R., Van der Steen, S., Hakvoort, B., Frencken, W. G. P., & Lemmink, K. A. P. M. (2018). Differences in game-reading between selected and non-selected youth soccer players. Journal of Sports Sciences, 36, 422-428.
• De Jonge, K., Rietzschel, E., & Van Yperen, N. W. (2018). Stimulated by Novelty? The role of Psychological Needs and Perceived Creativity. Personality and social psychology bulletin, 44, 851-867.
• Hill, Y., den Hartigh, R. J. R., Meijer, R. R., de Jonge, P., & Van Yperen, N. W.(2018). Resilience in Sports From a Dynamical Perspective. Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology, 7, 333-341.
• Te Wierike, S. C. M., Huijgen, B. C. H., Jonker, L., Elferink-Gemser, M. T., & Visscher, C. (2018). The importance and development of ball control and (self-reported) self-regulatory skills in basketball players for different positions. Journal of Sports Sciences, 36 710-716.
• Van Yperen, N. W. (2017). Competence and the Workplace. In A. J. Elliot, C. S. Dweck, and D. S. Yeager (Eds.), Handbook of Competence and Motivation: Theory and Application (2 ed., pp. 635-654). New York: Guilford Press.
• Kramer, T., Huijgen, B. C. H., Elferink-Gemser, M. T., & Visscher, C. (2017). Prediction of Tennis Performance in Junior Elite Tennis Players. Journal of sports science and medicine, 16, 14-21.
• Niessen, A. S. M., & Meijer, R. R. (2017). On the use of broadened admission criteria in higher education. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 12, 436-448.
• Den Hartigh, R. J. R., Van Yperen, N. W., & Van Geert, P. L. C. (2017). Embedding the psychosocial biographies of Olympic medallists in a (meta-)theoretical model of dynamic networks. Progress in Brain Research, 232, 137-140.
• Kupers, E., Van Dijk, M., & van Geert, P. (2017). Changing Patterns of Scaffolding and Autonomy During Individual Music Lessons: A Mixed Methods Approach. Journal of the Learning Sciences, 26, 131-166.
• Van Yperen, N. W., & Wörtler, B. (2017). Blended working and the employability of older workers, retirement timing, and bridge employment. Work, Aging and Retirement, 3, 102-108.
• Kolman, N., Huijgen, B., Kramer, T., Elferink-Gemser, M., & Visscher, C. (2017). The Dutch Technical-Tactical Tennis Test (D4T) for Talent Identification and Development: Psychometric Characteristics. Journal of human kinetics, 55, 127-138.asq