BoJackson wrote:
In my chess class, we are playing a chess tournament. Out of 4 games, I won 4 and made it into the second round playoffs. I'm kind of surprised because I was seed 14 out of 20 in a 8 person playoff. Does anyone have any psychological tips for me?
I do!
"I don't care about psychology. I care about making good moves." --Bobby Fischer
I know it's somewhat cliche, but play the board, not your opponent.
Refuse to be intimidated by their higher rankings, and remember you deserve to be there just as much as they do. You showed that by winning all your games.
So, good luck, and go get 'em! 
Yeah the main thing is to not let yourself be intimidated and keep playing the kind of chess that got you there in the first place.
There are books on psychology - it is an active part of GM's repertoire. Fischer played "good moves", but when people described playing him, it was definetely a battle, to say the least.
When I face an opponent that I know loves to play complicated play, I try to play conservative openings, in hope that they will overstep and create weaknesses that I can later exploit. Of course, you have to understand what you are playing - otherwise, you get into a pickle. And if my opponent likes closed positions, I try to play to open the game quickly. Play moves that frustrate their form of thinking.
Regardless of what anyone says about psychology, you are your own worst enemy. YOU can psych yourself out of a win, or talk yourself into a bad position if you aren't careful. I have done that a lot of times :-).
Don't get so wrapped up into the thought of psychology that you lose the game. One thing I see - the fear of the higher rated opponents has caused you to seek a new manner to win the game - psychology. This fear will show in your moves. Don't fear your opponent - it is just a game. Forget all your wins and losses. Forget ratings. Take it one game at a time. Play good moves that you understand. Don't play wildly.
Petrosian had a student that played bad moves and eventually lost. He told his student, it is easier to play for a win from an equal position than to play for a win from a bad position! :-). You'll do fine, just don't psych yourself out!
In my chess class, we are playing a chess tournament. Out of 4 games, I won 4 and made it into the second round playoffs. I'm kind of surprised because I was seed 14 out of 20 in a 8 person playoff. Does anyone have any psychological tips for me?