Attention & Self-talk in sports psychology

1. SPORTS AND EXERCISE
PSYCHOLOGY
PROGRAM; MS
Semester: 1st & 2nd
Dr Tasleem Arif,
Assistant Professor
Tasleem.ss@suit.edu.pk
Department of Sports Sciences & Physical Education
Sarhad University of Science and Information Technology, Peshawar
@DrTasleemArif2

2. Session Outline
 Attention & Types of Attention
 Attentional problems
 Recognition of Attentional problem
 Self-talk
 Assessing attentional skills
 Tips for improving concentration on site
 Exercises for improving concentration

3. Introduction
 Attention is the focus of consciousness on a
particular object or idea at a particular time ,
to the exclusion of other objects or ideas.

4. Definition of Attention
 Attention is defined as a process which compels
the individual to select a particular stimulus
according to his/her interest and attitude out of the
multiple stimuli of the environment.
(Sharma,1967)

5. Types of Attention

7. Principles of Attention
1.Concentration reacquires mental effort.
2.One can focus only one thought at a time.
3.Athlete are focused when they concentrate an
actions that are specific, relevant and under their
control.

8. Principles of Attention
4. Anxiety disrupt concentration by inducing
negative self evaluation.
5.Their is no difference between what
athletes is thinking and doing.

9. Span of
attention
Visual
attention
Auditory
attention
Explaining Attentional Focus:
Three Processes

10. Visual Attention
 The visual attention span is very less and short.
 The mind can attend to only 4 or 5 separate units if
the items are not grouped together.
 But if the items are combined into meaningful wholes,
for instance words, a large number of items can be
perceivd at once.

11. Span of Auditory Attention
 The number of auditory, impressons perceived at a
single instance is slightly greater.
 An adult can perceive eight sounds given rapidly in
succsession. But when sounds are given a rhythm, a
much larger number of sounds can be perceived.

12. Sustained attention (concentration)
 sustain attention is to concentrate ones
activities continuously upon one subject.
 The individual attention always remains on
track and activity proceeds without any serious
distractions.

13. Attentional Problems
Cue Utilization: Relevant
Arousal: It may be low, optimum or High
Destructibility: Losses of attention
Peripheral scanning : Judgment
Attention flexibility: Rapid Decision
Cognitive interference: To think

14. Attentional Problems
 Internal distractions
 Attending to past events (e.g., what was?)
 Attending to future events (e.g., what if?)
 Choking (unpleasant) under pressure
 Over analysis of body mechanics
 Fatigue
 Inadequate motivation

15. WHAT IS SELF TALK?
• The steady stream of on-going thoughts or internal
dialogue that goes on in our minds constantly
• Self talk influences moods, emotions, and
ultimately behavior

17. Three characteristics of self talk…
Rationality
Trained minds learn to think more positively, logically,
and systematically.
Specificity
Self talk becomes conditioned to success and failure
events, changing dramatically based on the mindset
created in particular situations.
Automaticity
Extensive repetition creates highly automatic thoughts,
called beliefs.
Automaticity of self talk is a two-edged sword when
examining its impact on performance.

25. Self-Talk Quotes
You cannot be lonely if you like the person you’re alone
with (Wayne Dyer)
Be careful what you say about yourself because someone very
important is listening YOU
(John Assaraf)
The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better his world
will be, and the better the world at large (Confucius)
Loving or hating the life you are living is solely all in your
repeated self-talk (Edward Mbiaka)

26. Measuring attentional focus
Measurement by coach or selective committee
1.Behavioral assessment of attention is made (Body
language)
2.Level of arousal increases the individual attention
focus narrowing and measuring
3.Self report method/Case history
You cannot be lonely if you like the person you’re alone
with.
Wayne Dyer
Be careful what you say about yourself because