Deck 15: Concentration and Strategies for Controlling It

Question 1

The narrowing and internal focus associated with choking can result in:

A) loss of coordination
B) impaired timing
C) fatigue
D) all of these answers are accurate

Answer 1

all of these answers are accurate

Question 2

According to Moran (2009), which of the following is a foundation of Attention Control Training (ACT)?

A) There are at least six types of concentration that performers must use in competitive situations
B) Most sport situations require similar shifts in attentional focus
C) Performers must decide to concentrate - it will not happy by-chance
D) Focusing on factors like the crowd cheering or a coach's instruction can improve concentration

Answer 2

Performers must decide to concentrate - it will not happy by-chance

Question 3

Centering is the process of focusing your attention on one specific activity.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Process cues are related to what one does when performing as opposed to the outcome.

Question 5

What is the appropriate attentional focus as I begin imaging my executing a handstand a few moments before I actually do the handstand?

A) narrow internal
B) broad internal
C) narrow external
D) broad external

Question 6

An athlete frequently chokes. How could this be prevented?

A) all of these training examples could help prevent choking
B) provide training to quickly recover focus after losing it
C) train them to recognize and lessen physiological over arousal
D) train them to reinterpret anxiety symptoms as facilitative to performance

Question 7

Which statement is untrue regarding simulated performance conditions?

A) it includes visualization techniques
B) it helps increase familiarity to decrease distraction
C) it addresses an external factor
D) it reduces novelty

Question 8

What are two internal dimensions of attention coined by Nideffer?

A) perform and assess
B) rehearse and analyze
C) analyze and perform
D) assess and rehearse

Question 9

As arousal moves out of the moderate range, performers are more likely to:

A) narrow their focus
B) go to their dominant attentional focus/style
C) broaden their focus
D) focus on irrelevant cues

Question 10

As Rebecca prepares for her swim meet, she focuses on what she wants to do while swimming. Rebecca is most focused on what?

A) none of these
B) outcome cues
C) preparation cues
D) process cues

Question 11

Which activity is best paired with the most effective attentional focus?

A) using imagery to prepare for a job interview: narrow-external
B) archer shooting at a target: broad-external
C) student deciding the best answer to an essay question: broad-internal
D) lawyer giving summation to a jury: narrow-external

Question 12

An athlete meets with a sport psychologist and describes a particular performance problem. The sport psychologist plans an intervention strategy. The sport psychologist needs what type of attentional focus?

A) broad external
B) narrow external
C) broad internal
D) narrow internal

Question 13

A principle(s) that underlies the application of Attention Control Training to performance enhancement:

A) under optimal conditions, the average person can meet the required concentration demands
B) assess focusing strengths and weaknesses
C) imagine success in focusing attention
D) use relaxation interventions and minimize distractions

Question 14

Telling someone not to choke usually prevents the occurrence of choking.

Question 15

According to the text, "choking" should be defined as:

A) a process that leads to impaired performance
B) making a mistake that costs you or your team a victory
C) none of these answers are definitions of choking
D) a poor performance at a critical time of competition

Question 16

A quarterback needs to shift his attentional focus from surveying the field for receivers to delivery of a pass to one receiver. This shift would be from:

A) none of these
B) broad external to broad internal
C) broad external to narrow external
D) narrow external to broad external
E) broad external to narrow internal

Question 17

We are most likely to use our preferred or dominant attentional style:

A) after having had attention control training
B) in all situations that call for it
C) when the coach demands it
D) as pressure increases

Question 18

An example of an attentional trigger is to say "read" after discovering that you have been daydreaming while studying your textbook.

Question 19

Choking can usually be prevented without providing some external intervention.

Question 20

Which of the following strategies does not reduce the novelty effect on performance?

A) dress rehearsal
B) mental rehearsal
C) self-talk strategies
D) simulated competition experience

Question 21

A skill that teaches performers to hold their attention on a predetermined task, and if their attention wanders, to gently bring their attention back is known as:

A) focus rehearsal
B) focus training
C) dress rehearsal
D) none of these

Question 22

Which of these is a strategy to stay centered?

A) turning failure into success
B) all of these techniques help performers stay centered
C) attentional cues/triggers
D) brain biofeedback

Question 23

Which of the following strategies is best for regaining concentration once it has been lost?

A) attentional cues and triggers
B) none of these
C) turning failure into success
D) electrodermal feedback

Question 24

An operational definition for "choking":

A) none of these answers are definitions of choking
B) when an athlete seems incapable of regaining control over performance on their own
C) when an athlete's performance seems to be progressively deteriorating
D) when an athlete performs poorly in competitive practice situations

Question 25

In the attention control reading, Nideffer does not describe the components of "choking" as:

A) narrowing of attention
B) increased physiological arousal
C) decrease in muscular tension
D) internal focus of attention

Question 26

Before a match I plan my strategy for how I intend to beat my opponent. To do this effectively I would need which type of attentional focus?

A) broad internal
B) narrow external
C) broad external
D) narrow internal

Question 27

______ is based on the concept that ease in skillful competitive performance is unconsciously conditioned by the external and internal stimuli that surround athletes during practice.

A) Arousal set
B) Dress rehearsal
C) Concentration
D) Mental training

Question 28

You are ______ within a performance situation when your body weight is distributed about your center of mass in a way that feels comfortable.

A) centered
B) internalized
C) locked
D) grounded

Question 29

Dress rehearsal is helpful for an athlete because it:

A) actually, it is not helpful
B) allows athletes to be comfortable in their competition uniform
C) increases physiological activation prior to competition
D) enables the athlete to be less distracted by repeated competition stimuli

Question 30

When taking an essay exam, I first think through how I will answer a question. This requires what type of attentional focus?

A) broad external
B) narrow external
C) narrow internal
D) broad internal