Attentional ControlDef:The extent to which a performer can focus the relevant stimuli during an event.

Attentional ControlDef:The extent to which a performer can focus the relevant stimuli during an event.

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Aim - to recap Selective attention – stimulus intensity – warning cues to apply cue ultilisation to practical examples to identify different attention styles to identify factors that effect emotional control

Theories relating to AttentionTheories relating to Attention

Selective Attention

Attentional / Perceptual Narrowing

Cue Utilisation Theory

Links arousal levels directly to the individuals ability to focus on the relevant cues and stimuli. If the performer reaches their optimal level they will identify the appropriate cues. Over arousal and under arousal will cause underperformance.

A process that filters irrelevant information gathered by the sensory system and prioritises the stimuli that can effect the situation.

Involves the use of relevant cues to focus the performers attention as arousal levels increase. This involves perceptual narrowing.

Selective Attention

Concept: Selective attention is perhaps the single most important cognitive characteristic of the successful athlete.

Application:It is important that the teacher /coach identifies the important cues and then provides drills that requires the performer to attend to them.eg player shooting a free throw with team mates trying to distract them

Concept: Selective attention is a skill that can be learned.

Application:All sporting events contain critical cues that must be selectively attended to. E.G A tennis player will focus on the ball and their opponent when serving.

Attentional / Perceptual Narrowing / Cue Utilisation Theory

Concept: Attentional Narrowing has the effect of reducing cue utilization

Application:Broad Attentional focus allows the athlete to attend to important cues, but the distraction of irrelevant cues can hinder performance. Narrow Attentional focus allows the athlete to attend to only the most critical cues, but can also hinder performance as relevant cues may be missed. Successful athletes are often required to adjust their Attentional focus depending on the immediate demands of the game.

Scenario

Factors important to Attentional ControlFactors important to Attentional ControlFactors important to Attentional ControlFactors important to Attentional Control

• Cognition – The mental process in Cognition – The mental process in understanding what stimulus to understanding what stimulus to attend to and why.attend to and why.

• Arousal – The desired optimal level Arousal – The desired optimal level needs to reach ( link to inverted U needs to reach ( link to inverted U theory)theory)

Factors that affect attentionAge –

Experience -

Arousal level -

The individual -

Nature of the Task -

Cue Utilisation Theory

Make a list of possible distractions

What should you concentrate on?

Please explain why this describes Over arousal

Over arousalOver arousal

Under arousalUnder arousal

Please explain why this describes under arousal

Optimum ArousalOptimum Arousal

Please explain why this describes optimum arousal

Nideffers Attentional stylesNideffer created a model based on two dimensions:Width of attention continuum– Broad <>NarrowDirection of attention continuum– External <> Internal

Broad:Performer takes in a great deal of environmental information

and this includes peripheral cues and stimuli. (Open skills)

Narrow:Performer focuses one particular cue or small number of stimuli.

(Closed Skill)

Internal:Performers attention is directed to their psychological state.

(arousal level)

External:Performer focuses on external stimuli eg ball defender

Attentional styles

As the guard dribbles up the court he looks round the floor to see his team mates and where the defenders are.

The guard decides to shoot. He/she must narrow their attention to gate out the images and sounds of the crowd and defender

In preparation for the game the guard reviews the play book or game tape.

As the guard prepares to take a free throw, he / she mentally rehearses the shot.

•Two more tasks can be completed at the same time provided attentional capacity is not exceeded.

•The experience of the performer will determine how much capacity is used.

•Two more tasks can be completed at the same time provided attentional capacity is not exceeded.

•The experience of the performer will determine how much capacity is used.

Capacity theoriesCapacity theories

Cognitive Associative Autonomos

Types of attendersTypes of attenders

•Effective attenders can process information externally. eg the position of team mates and internally eg analytical thoughts allowing them to switch focus and not miss important cues.

•in effective attenders they lack focus, become confused and miss important cues

As a result certain playing positions may be better suited to different performers. For example an effective attender may be more suited to team games or positions requiring decision making.

•Effective attenders can process information externally. eg the position of team mates and internally eg analytical thoughts allowing them to switch focus and not miss important cues.

•in effective attenders they lack focus, become confused and miss important cues

As a result certain playing positions may be better suited to different performers. For example an effective attender may be more suited to team games or positions requiring decision making.

1. Mental rehearsal/visualisation;

2. Concentrate/focus on task in hand;

3. Cut out awareness of others/distracters/improve selective attention/cueutilisation;

4. Gradually develop experience of distracters/visit situation/build up the audience;

5. Arousal reduction techniques/suitable examples/ imagery/ meditation/centering/ self talk/thought stopping/PMR;

Improving AttentionImproving Attention

Put the following Key words into sentencesPut the following Key words into sentences

Nideffer used the figure below to illustrate the two dimensions of attentional style.

(i)Use the figure above to explain each dimension of Nideffer’s attentional styles. [2]

(ii) Use a practical example to illustrate each of the four attentional styles.[4]

(i) (Dimensions of style)2 marks for 2

1. Broad-narrow (narrow) focus on a limited range of cues to (broad) wide range of cues2. Internal-external (internal) thoughts/feelings of own body to (external) events/objects outside body

(ii) (Examples of styles)4 marks for 4 of - must have practical application 4

1. Broad - Midfield hockey player looking for the penetrating pass2. Narrow - Taking a penalty shot in netball3. Internal - Gymnast mentally rehearsing a floor routine4. External - Golfer driving off from the tee5. Broad-external - Basketball player reading the attacking options eg assessing6. Broad-internal - Planning the tactical strategies of your volleyball teameg planning7. Narrow-external - Playing a shot in cricket eg performing8. Narrow-internal - High board diver controlling arousal before a diveeg mentally rehearsing