Every story has two sides: evaluating information processing and ecological dynamics perspectives of focus of attention in skill acquisition

Frontiers in Sports and Active Living

Sports and Active Living

Victoria Gottwald¹  Robin Owen²  Marianne Davies³ 

[1] Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, United Kingdom;School of Health and Sport Sciences, Liverpool Hope University, Liverpool, United Kingdom;Sport and Physical Activity Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, United Kingdom;

关键词: sport;    attentional focus;    movement;    cognition;    dynamical systems;    motor learning;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fspor.2023.1176635

 received in 2023-02-28, accepted in 2023-05-02,  发布年份 2023

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

Directing our focus of attention appropriately during task execution can benefit outcome performance, cognitive efficiency, and physiological efficiency. For instance, individuals may benefit from adopting an external focus of attention (i.e., by focusing attention on the effects of one's movements on the environment) over an internal focus of attention (e.g., focusing on one's body movements). However, accounts concerning the theoretical functioning of such effects have primarily relied on hierarchical information processing perspectives; far less consideration has been given to potentially alternative explanations based on ecological dynamics, instances where an internal focus may be desirable over an external focus, and the associated applied implications. Within the present review, we: (a) outline the most recent developments in attentional focus research; (b) evaluate similarities and differences between information processing and ecological dynamics explanations of the focus of attention effect; (c) provide practical recommendations; and (d) discuss future research avenues. In doing so, a case is made for an “Ecological Dynamics Account of Attentional Focus” to act as an alternative to information processing-based hypotheses.

【 授权许可】

Unknown   
© 2023 Gottwald, Davies and Owen.