Abstract
The subject of imagery is receiving a great deal of attention in applied sport psychology. The purpose of this overview is to trace the development of the field of imagery, synthesize theories explaining how it affects performance, and then relate how it may best be used today. In the first section imagery is defined and the history of its use discussed, followed by explanations for how imagery affects physical and psychological skills. The use of imagery in sport is then described, and the scientific literature pertaining to the effectiveness of imagery in developing physical and psychological skills is examined.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Arnold, M. (1946). On the mechanisms of sùggestion and hynosis. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 41, 107–128.
Cautella, J., and Baron, M. (1977). Covert conditioning: A theoretical analysis. Behavior Modification, 1, 351–368.
Cautella, J., & McGullough, L. (1978). Covert conditioning: A learning theory persepctive on imagery. In J. Singer & K. Pope (Eds.), The power of human imagination. New York: Plenum Press.
Clark, L. (1960). Effect of mental practice on the development of a certain motor skill. Research Quarterly, 31, 560–569.
Corbin, C. (1967a). The effects of covert rehearsal on the development of a complex motor skill The Journal of General Psychology, 76, 143–150.
DeWitt, D. (1980). Cognitive and biofeedback training for stress reduction with university athletes. Journal of Sport Psychology, 2, No. 4, 288–294.
Eccles, J. (1958). The physiology of imagination. Scientific American, 199, 135.
Eccles, J. (1972). Possible synaptic mechanisms subserving learning. In A. Karyman & J. Eccles (Eds.), Brain and human behavior. New York: Springer-Verlag.
Feltz, D., & Landers, D. (1983). The effects of mental practice on motor skill learning and performance: A meta-analysis. Journal of Sport Psychology, 5, No. 1, 25–57.
Finke, R. (1980). Levels of equivalence in imagery and perception. Psychological Review, 87, 113–132.
Gravel, R., Lemieux, G., & Ladouceur, R. (1980). Effectiveness of a cognitive behavioral treatment package for cross-country ski racing. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 4, No. 1, 83–89.
Hebb, D. (1968). Concerning imagery. Psychological Review, 75, 466–477.
Holt, R. (1964). Imagery: The return of the ostracized. American Psychologist, 19, 254–264.
Jacobson, E. (1930). Electrical measurements of neuromuscular states during mental activities. I. Imagination of movement involving skeletal muscles.American Journal of Physiology, 91, 547–608.
Jacobson, E. (1931). Electrical measurements of neuromuscular states during mental activities. V. Variation of specific muscles contracting during imagination. American Journal of Physiology, 96, 115–121.
Jacobson, E. (1932). Electrophysiology of mental activities.American Journal of Psychology, 44, 677–694.
Janet P. (1898). Nervoses et idees fixes. Paris: Alcan.
Kazdin, A., & Smith, G. (1979). Covert conditioning: A review and evaluation. Advances in Behavior Research and Therapy, 2, 57–96.
Kellner, S. (1976). Psycho-cybernetics, mental practice makes perfect. Scholastic Coach, Feb., 40–45.
Klinger, E. (1971). The structure and function of fantasy. New York: Wiley.
Klinger, E. (1980). Therapy and the flow of thought. In J. Shorr, G. Sobel, P. Robin, & J, Connella (Eds.), Imagery: It’s many dimensions and applications. New York: Plenum.
Kohl, R., & Roenker, D. (1980). Bitalteral transfer as a function of mental imagery. Journal of Motor Behavior, 12, No. 3, 197–206.
Lang, P. (1977). Imagery in therapy: An information processing analysis of fear. Behavior Therapy, 8, 862–886.
Maltz, M. (1960). Psycho-cybernetics: A new way to get more living out of life. NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Marks, D. (1977). Imagery and consciousness: A theoretical review from an individual differences perspective. Journal of Mental Imagery, 2, 275–290.
Marks, D. (1983). Mental imagery and consciousness: A theoretical review. In A. Sheikh (Ed.), Imagery: Current theory, research, and application. New York: Wiley.
Martens, R. (1982, September). Imagery in sport. Paper presented at the V II Commonwealth and International Conference on Sport, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Brisbane, Australia.
Martens, R. & Burton, D. (1984). Psychological skills training. Unpublished manuscript.
McKay, D. (1981). The problem of rehearsal or mental practice Journal of Motor Behavior, 13, 274–285.
Meichenbuam, D. (1978). Why does using imagery in psychotherapy lead to change? In J. Singer, & K. Pope (Eds.), The power of human imagination. New York: Plenum.
Meyers, A., & Schleser, R. (1980). A cognitive behavioral intervention for improving basketball performance. Journal of Sport Psychology, 2, No. 1, 69–73.
Meyers, A., Schleser, R., & Okwumabua, T. (1982). A cognitive behavioral intervention for improving basketball performance. Research Quarterly, 53, No. 4, 344–347.
Richardson, A. (1967). Mental practice: A review and discussion. Research Quarterly, 38, 95–107 & 262–273.
Richardson, A. (1969). Mental imagery. New York: Springer.
Ryan, E. & Simons, J. (1981). Cognitive demand, imagery, and frequency of mental rehearsal as factors influencing acquistion of motor skills. Journal of Sport Psychology, 3, No. 1, 35–45.
Ryan, E. & Simons, J. (1982). Efficacy of mental imagery in enhancing mental rehearsal of motor skills. Journal of Sport Psychology, 4, No. 1, 41–51.
Sackett, R. (1934). The influences of symbolic rehearsal upon the retention of a maze habit. Journal of General Psychology, 10, 376–395.
Sage, G. (1977). Introduction to motor behavior: A neuro-psychological approach. ( 2nd ed. ). Boston, MA: Addison-Wesley.
Schmidt, R. (1982). Motor control and learning: a behavioral emphasis. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Shaw, W. (1938). The distribution of muscular action potentials during imaging. The Psychological Record, 2, 195–216.
Sheikh, A., & Jordon, C. (1983). Clinical uses of mental imagery. In A. Sheikh (Ed.), Imagery: Current theory, research, and application. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Sheikh, A., & Panagiotou, N. (1975). Use of mental imagery in psychotherapy: A critical review. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 41, 555–585.
Sheikh, A., & Shaffer, J. (1979). The potential of fantasy and imagination. New York: Brandon House.
Singer, J., & Pope, K. (1978). The power of human imagination. New York: Plenum.
Smith, D., Martens, R., Burton, D., Vealey, R., & Bump, L. (1982). Psychological testing of the gymnastic teams at the National Sports Festival,Unpublished manuscript.
Suinn, R. (1972). Behavioural rehearsal training in ski racers. Behavior Therapy, 3, 519–520.
Suinn, R. (1980). Psychology in sports: Methods and applications. Minneapolis: Burgess.
Suinn, R. (1983). Imagery and sports. In A. Sheikh (Ed.), Imagery: Current theory, research, and application. New York: Wiley.
Twining, W. (1949). Mental practice and physical practice in learning a motor skill. Research Quarterly, 20, 432–435.
Vandell, R., Davis, R., & Clugston, H. (1943). The function of mental practice in the acquisition of motor skills. Journal of General Psychology, 29, 243–250.
Watkins, M. (1976). Waking Dreams. New York: Harper.
Weinberg, R., Seabourne, T., & Jackson, A. (1981). Effects of visuo-motor behavior rehearsal, relaxation, and imagery on karate performance. Journal of Sport Psychology, 3, 228–238.
Wolpe, J. (1958). Psychotherapy by reciprocal inhibition. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.
Zecker, S. (1982). Mental practice and knowledge of results in the learning of a perceptual motor skill. Journal of Sport Psychology, 4, No. 1, 52–63.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1990 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Smith, D. (1990). Imagery in Sport: An Historical and Current Overview. In: Kunzendorf, R.G. (eds) Mental Imagery. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-2623-4_24
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-2623-4_24
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-2625-8
Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-2623-4
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive