8 - Attention + Concentration

Defining Attention, EXAM

A process or feature of our brain - ability to use attention to focus on things which are important

A person’s ability to exert deliberate mental effort on what is most important on any given situation

Defining Concentration

Individuals deliberate a

Defining Focus

The ability to be purely focused on something

Selective Attention

1. Select where you put your attention

2. Focus on relevant environmental cues

3. Disregard irrelevant cues

4. Internal vs external

Alertness

maintaining attention over a long period of time

1. Switched on

2. Regaining concentration

3. Tiring

Situational Awareness

Awareness of what’s going on around you

1. Know what to focus on based on situational cues

2. Keep awareness while executing a skill

Shifting Attention

Shifting score/focus of attention

1. Narrow / Broad

2. Internal / External

Information Processing Approach

Theoretical lens we use to understand attention and concentration in sport

1. Consider human thinking as steps - computer

2. Flexibility when allocating attention

3 Processes of Attention

1. Attentional selectivity

2. Attentional Capacity

3. Attentional Alertness

1. Selectivity

Spotlight used to focus on most important

1. Can fail:

   *Fail to pinpoint

   *Distraction

   *Dividing attention

2. More skill developed - better selective attention

3. Automated

2. Capacity

Attention is limited, it’s a finite resource

1. 2 types of attentional processing:

   • Controlled - give conscious attention

   • Automatic - process something without conscious attention

3. Alertness

Connected to our level of emotional arousal and attention

1. Too much emotion = narrow field of attention

2. Missing cues in other areas

Attentional Control Theory (Eysenck et al 2007)

1. Top down - goal directed processing (internal)

2. Bottom up - stimulus driven process (external)

3. Anxiety impairs TD attentional system, so influenced more by BU

4. Threatening stimuli

Wilson et al (2009) EXAM

Theory Summary

Attentional Focus

Nideffer (1976) - 2 dimensional theory

1. Width - broad b=vs narrow

   1. Depth - internal vs external

Attentional Focus - Width

Relates to broad or narrow focus of attention

1. Broad - athletes are aware of different stimuli at once

2. Narrow - athletes can exclude irrelevant info

Attentional Focus - Direction (Vertical)

Refers to the target of an individual’s attention

1. External - athlete focusing on stimuli external to them

2. Internal - concentrate on internal factors e.g. kinaesthetic

Attention Focus - Key Points

1. Use as a sport psychologist

2. Bring awareness to attention

3. Highlight attentional issues

Distraction

1. Internal - choking, overconfident, self doubt

2. External - weather, crowd

3. Outcome focus - position, score

Choking under pressure

1. Attentional process

2. Decrease in performance

The Choking Process (Hill et al + Weinberg & Gould)

Improving attention

1. Self-talk

2. Mindfulness

3. Pre-performance routines

Attention Case Study - XC MTB