Attentional focus + Attentional control

Question 1

What is Easterbrook’s attentional narrowing and cue utilisation theory?

Answer 1

• Stated that performance was directly related to a performers ability to keep focused on the correct cues in the environment.
• He claimed that a performers ability to focus on the correct cues (cue utilisation) was linked to arousal.

Question 2

What happens is a performer has high levels of arousal?

Answer 2

• Means performer will only be able to take in several cues (this is called a narrow attention field).
• This would lead to attentional wastage as the performer would miss important cues= performance levels decrease.

Question 3

What happens if a performer has low arousal levels?

Answer 3

• Means performer will take in too many cue (this is called broad attentional field).
• This would lead to confusion= performance levels decrease.

Question 4

What happens if a performer is at moderate arousal levels?

Answer 4

• Performer filters out irrelevant cues and focuses on only the relevant cues.
• This lowers levels of stress and allows them to perform to the highest level (be in their ZOF).

Question 5

What happens at a optimal attention field?

Answer 5

• Moderate/ optimal levels of arousal.
• Relevant cues and attention received.

Question 6

What happens if the attention field is too broad?

Answer 6

• Low arousal levels.
• Lots of info is received leading to overload and confusion.

Question 7

What happens if the attention field is too narrow?

Answer 7

• High arousal levels.
• Info is missed which leads to attentional wastage.

Question 8

What is Nideffer’s model of attentional focus?

Answer 8

• To avoid the problem of attentional wastage, Nideffer suggested that a performer could choose an attentional style that suited a situation.
• He stated that the best athletes can easily switch between them.

Question 9

What are the 4 attentional styles?

Answer 9

1. Broad= several cues can be identified.
2. Narrow= Best to focus on 1 or 2 cues.
3. External= info is drawn from the environment.
4. Internal= when info is used from within the performer.

Question 10

1. Broad, External style.

Answer 10

• Picking up on a wide range of cues from the environment.
• Used to detect and identify the best option in fast game situations.
  E.g. Teammates and opposition in a game.

Question 11

2. Broad, Internal style

Answer 11

• Mental analysis of numerous cues.
• Info is used to analyse performance and plan strategies.
  E.g. analyse game and plan tactics/ set pieces.

Question 12

3. Narrow, External

Answer 12

• Focus is on one cue.
• From the environment.
  E.g. putting a ball in golf and focusing on the hole.

Question 13

4. Narrow, Internal

Answer 13

• Mental focus on one or two cues.
• Mental rehearsal, imagery or visualisation is used.
  E.g. Mental rehearsal of a free throw.