Individual Differences

What are the three cognitive dimensions of attention?

Concentration, selective attention, divided attention

What does concentration mean?

Deliberate decision to invest mental effort on what is most important in any given situation

What is selective attention?

Perceptual ability to zoom in on task-relevant information

What is divided attention?

The ability (as a result of practice) to coordinate two or more actions at the same time

Define focus

Central point of attention

Define attention

Active awareness of what you are observing

In sports, concentration has which several aspects?

• Focusing on relevant cues in environment

• Maintaining that attention over time

• Having awareness of situation

• Shifting attentional focus when necessary

What is situation awareness?

Athlete’s ability to understand what is going on around them.

What does having situation awareness typically involve?

Make decisions often under pressure and time demands

What does attentional flexibility mean?

Ability to shift focus of attention as demanded by the situation

Example of attentional flexibility

Shifting from a external broad focus to internal narrow focus

Five building blocks of concentration

1. Decide to concentrate

2. Focus only on one thought at a time

3. Mind is focused

4. You lose concentration when you focus on uncontrollable factors

5. Focus outwards when you get nervous, not inwards on doubts

Benefit of controlled distraction

Increase awareness of distractors and enhance their understanding of the task-relevant info to execute skill

What does mental practice involve?

Seeing and feeling a skill in one’s imagination before its execution

What is an example of internal narrow focus for a gymnast?

Mentally rehearsing performance and execution ; visualisation

What type of sport is suitable for high arousal?

High power and speed: Weightlifting, sprinting

What type of sport is suitable for low arousal?

Concentration and fine motor control: Archery, golf

What does attentional narrowing allow athletes to do?

Focus on relevant cues and filter out distractors