PEShare.co.uk Shared Resource

Attentional Control Def: The extent to which a performer can focus the relevant stimuli during an event. Page 254 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 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 Control Cognition – The mental process in understanding what stimulus to attend to and why. Arousal – The desired optimal level needs to reach ( link to inverted U theory)

Factors that affect attention Age – Experience - Arousal level - The individual - Nature of the Task -

Make a list of possible distractions What should you concentrate on?

Please explain why this describes Over arousal Over arousal

Under arousal Please explain why this describes under arousal

Optimum Arousal Please explain why this describes optimum arousal

Nideffers Attentional styles Nideffer created a model based on two dimensions: Width of attention continuum– Broad <>Narrow Direction 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. Capacity theories Cognitive Associative Autonomos

Types 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.

Mental rehearsal/visualisation; 2. Concentrate/focus on task in hand; 3. Cut out awareness of others/distracters/improve selective attention/cue utilisation; 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 Attention Put the following Key words into sentences

Nideffer used the figure below to illustrate the two dimensions of attentional style. 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 cues 2. 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 pass 2. Narrow - Taking a penalty shot in netball 3. Internal - Gymnast mentally rehearsing a floor routine 4. External - Golfer driving off from the tee 5. Broad-external - Basketball player reading the attacking options eg assessing 6. Broad-internal - Planning the tactical strategies of your volleyball team eg planning 7. Narrow-external - Playing a shot in cricket eg performing 8. Narrow-internal - High board diver controlling arousal before a dive eg mentally rehearsing

PEShare.co.uk Shared Resource

More Related Content

Viewers also liked (20)

Similar to PEShare.co.uk Shared Resource (20)

More from peshare.co.uk (20)

Recently uploaded (20)

PEShare.co.uk Shared Resource