Attention and Concentration

Question 1

What are the 3 dimensions of attention?

Answer 1

• Concentration
• Selective Perception
• Mental Time Sharing

Question 2

Define Concentration

Answer 2

The ability to exert deliberate mental effort on what is most important in a given situation

Question 3

Define Selective Perception

Answer 3

Ability to zoom in on important stimuli and ignore distracting factors

Question 4

Define Mental Time Sharing

Answer 4

Ability to perform two or more concurrent activities

Question 5

What are the principles of concentration according to Moran, 1996?

Answer 5

• Requires Effort
• Can only focus on one thought at a time
• Focused best when concentrating on specific, relevant things under their own control
• Concentration is lost when focusing on irrelevant factors
• Concentration is disrupted by anxiety

Question 6

What are the 4 parts of concentration?

Answer 6

• Selective Attention (focus on relevant environmental cues)
• Maintained attentional focus over time
• Awareness of situation and performance errors
• Shifting of attentional focus where necessary

Question 7

What are the two dimensions of attention according to Nideffer?

Answer 7

• Direction of Attention

- Width of Attention

Question 8

What are the two directions of attention according to Nideffer?

Answer 8

• Internal; attending to ones own thoughts and feelings

- External; attending to environmental stimuli

Question 9

What are the two main widths of attention according to Nideffer?

Answer 9

• Broad; attending to many cues

- Narrow; attending to one or two cues

Question 10

What is broad-external attention?

Answer 10

Awareness of everything going on around you

Question 11

What is broad-internal attention?

Answer 11

Focusing on personal strategy, game plan, analysis

Question 12

What is narrow-external attention?

Answer 12

Focusing on one or two environmental factors/targets/stimuli

Question 13

What is narrow-internal attention?

Answer 13

Focus on effort and feeling

Question 14

What are the two tried methods for assessing concentration?

Answer 14

• Psychometrics

- Psychophysiological

Question 15

What is the main form of psychometric assessment of attention?

Answer 15

Test of Attention and Interpersonal Style (TAIS)

Question 16

What is the TAIS?

Answer 16

Six domains - 3 relating to info overload, 3 relating to Nideffer’s attentional styles.
Effective attenders score high on attention and low on overload

Question 17

What are two forms of psychophysiological measures of attention?

Answer 17

• Electroencephalogram; brain activity measure (EMG)

- Heart Rate measure

Question 18

What are internal distractors to attention?

Answer 18

• Attending to past events
• Attending to future events
• Emotional factors
• Over-analysis of body mechanics
• Lack of Motivation
• Fatigue

Question 19

What are external distractors to attention?

Answer 19

• Visual distractions

- Auditory distractions

Question 20

What are some on-site techniques for improving concentration?

Answer 20

• Simulating competitive environment in practice sessions
• Cue words/self-talk
• Use non-judgemental thinking to reduce anxety and arousal
• Establish routines
• Develop competition plans
• Eye control
• Monitoring oneself
• Overlearning skills

Question 21

What are some general exercises for improving concentration?

Answer 21

• Learning to shift attention
• Compartmentalising intrusive thoughts
• improving ability to maintain focus
• looking for relevant cues
• rehearsing game concentration
• distraction training