Attentional Focus and Arousal in Performance

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to attentional focus, arousal, and their implications in performance, providing a comprehensive tool for exam preparation.

Attentional Capacity

The limited number of activities an individual can pay attention to, exceeding this can inhibit performance.

Environmental Complexity

Refers to the complexity of the surroundings that can influence attentional demand.

Task Complexity

The complexity of the task being performed, affecting attentional demand.

Skill Level

The proficiency of the performer which can modify attentional demands.

Attentional Limitations

The restrictions on how much information a performer can focus on effectively.

Kahneman's Model of Attention

A framework that includes enduring dispositions, momentary intentions, and available capacity influencing attention allocation.

Attentional Focus

The process of selectively attending to or concentrating on specific environmental information.

Broad Attentional Focus

The ability to take in a large amount of information from the environment.

Narrow Attentional Focus

The ability to concentrate on one or two specific cues in the environment.

Internal Focus

Attending to thoughts and body movements.

External Focus

Attending to the effects of movements in the environment.

Attentional Styles

The different ways attention can be directed to internal or external cues.

Optimal Arousal Level

The point at which arousal leads to peak performance; varies depending on task complexity.

Inverted U Principle

Describes the relationship between arousal and performance, suggesting there is an optimal level of arousal for performing tasks.

Trait Anxiety

An individual’s predisposition to perceive situations as threatening or non-threatening.

Attentional Changes due to Arousal

Changes in attentional focus that happen based on varying levels of arousal.

Easterbrooks’ Cue-Utilization Theory

Theory that explains how attentional focus shifts with varying levels of arousal.

Automaticity

The ability to perform tasks without requiring attention.

Visual Search Strategies

Methods of directing visual attention to locate relevant environmental cues.

Feature Integration Theory

Theory that suggests visual attention can be directed by identifying minimal information necessary for skilled performance.

Quiet Eye

The final fixation on a specific target before initiating a movement.

Perceptual Narrowing

A decrease in the breadth of attentional focus under high arousal.

Saccade Latency

The time taken to move the eyes from one fixation point to another.

Fixation Duration

The length of time that the eye remains fixed on a single location.

Search Rate

The speed at which a person scans their visual environment.

Gaze Fixation

The act of focusing one's gaze on an object during scans.

Arousal and Movement Preparation

Changes in attentional focus and performance preparation linked to arousal levels.

Motor Response

The physical action taken as a result of attentional focus.

Ironic Effects of Attention

When efforts to suppress a thought inadvertently bring that thought into focus.

Muscle Tension Effects

Increased tension in muscles that can interfere with coordination and performance fluidity.

Attentional/perceptual narrowing

Loss of attention to relevant cues due to an overload of information.

Practical Implications of Arousal

Strategies to increase or decrease arousal levels to enhance performance.

Visual Attention in Soccer

Differences in eye tracking patterns between expert and novice players.

Selection of Visual Cues

The process by which individuals identify relevant environmental stimuli relevant to their goals.

Visual Fixation in Baseball

The tactical attention players use to focus on the pitcher's release point.

Skillful Performers

Individuals who require minimal information to perform tasks effectively.

Instruction and Feedback in Learning

Strategies for directing learners to focus on critical attentional cues.

Task-Relevant Cues

Cues that are meaningful and relevant to the task at hand.

Contextual Factors in Attention

Various factors that influence attentional focus and demand during tasks.

Strategies for Skill Acquisition

Methods used to break down complex skills for novices to enhance learning.

Relaxation Techniques to Reduce Arousal

Practices like slow breathing that help calm the performer.

Music for Arousal

Using music as a tool to enhance or modulate performance arousal levels.

Cues for Feedback in Learning

Providing learners with a limited number of meaningful cues to enhance focus.

Paying Attention to Relevant Cues

The ability to selectively focus on important environmental information.

Understanding Arousal Levels

Recognizing how arousal can impact performance and decision-making.

Cognitive Load

The total amount of mental effort being used in working memory.

Managing Arousal for Peak Performance

Strategies for finding and maintaining the optimal arousal level for effective performance.