mental imagery Flashcards
what is mental imagery?
- an experience that mimics a real experience
- need to be aware of all the different sensors
how is mental imagery different to dreams?
- we are awake and conscious when we form an image
what is mental practice?
- cognitive rehearsal of a task prior to performance
what is mental rehearsal?
- cognitive rehearsal of a task in the absence of avert physical movement
what is visualisation?
- the formation of mental visual images
what is neural overlap?
- when we imagine a movement it activates part of the brain which is active when you produce the physical movement
what is function equivalence?
- shared neural activity patterning
- neurons that fire during exercise also fire during imagery
what should be incorporated into mental imagery to make it efficient?
- sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste
how does imagery work?
- imagining movements warm up the brain
- when they are physically completed the neurons are warmed up to fire more accurately
how does imagery link to injury?
- reduces physical drop off in performance
- acts as a useful substitute
- through imagery they remain more match ready
what are the psychological uses of imagery?
- improved concentration
- recompose; control over emotional response
- improved motivation
- improved confidence
- reduced anxiety
what does imagery add to the task and enable?
- adds purpose to the task
- enables fine tuning
- allows athletes to work on weaknesses
what is internal imagery?
- first person seen through your own eyes
- useful when practicing timing of movement or experience a particular situation
- fine tuning skills
what is external imagery perspective?
- third person perspective
- used to show how movements look and the whole picture
e.g., football seeing how overall performance effects the play
what is kinaesthetic imagery?
- feelings and sensations associated with image
- muscles contracting, feel of equipment, proprioception, etc
what does kinaesthetic imagery work to do?
- strengthen motor neuron connections so when perform you may see some improvements
why is imagery useful?
- can do it anywhere
- can do it anytime
- very versatile
what are the benefits of imagery
- boosts confidence
- increased motivation
- increased focus
- increased strength
- improved movements
- reduced reaction time
how does imagery improve concentration?
- prepare for the worse
how can imagery help you to recompose?
- regather feelings after making a mistake e.g., missing a shot
how can imagery be used in rehab settings?
- if you forget to do an assessment for an injury, then you can use mental imagery to reduce stress by visualising you doing it correct next time
- practice exercise while recovering
give an example of how imagery adds purpose to a task
- during stroke recovery instead of just mobilising the arm above the head, could say ‘reach for apples’
how does imagery improve confidence?
- imagine you perform well
how does imagery help with control over emotional responses?
- getting too pumped up may cause a negative performance so can use imagery to calm down
how can imagery reduce anxiety?
- imagine yourself in a calm environment
what does it allow athletes to do with pieces and tactics?
- fine tune their skills
what does it allow athletes to work on?
- weak aspects of their performance
what are the functions of imagery?
- learn and improve skills
- develop plans and strategies
- manage emotion and enhance cognitions
what are the strengths of imagery?
- can be done anywhere
- can be down anytime
- very versatile tool
what is Paivio’s 2x2 framework?
- involves 5 different types of imagery
- content of what you image is differen to the function
- effects athletes differently
what is cognitive specific imagery?
- imagery to learn/ maintain/ improve performance of specific movements
what is cognitive general imagery?
- imagery to develop/ learn/ remember strategies and set plays
what is motivational specific imagery?
- imagery to motivate and increase effort levels
what is motivational general arousal?
- imagery to regulate arousal/ anxiety and emotions
what is motivational general mastery?
- imagery to regulate thoughts and conditions
describe why you would use imagery
- learn and improve skills
- develop plans/ strategies
- enhance motivation
- modify cognitions
- manage emotions
what do you do because function isn’t always the same as content?
- identify the function and decide the content
what has different effects on athletes?
- content
