Brazilian Elite Soccer Players: Exploring Attentional Focus in Performance Tasks and Soccer Positions

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael A.B. Tedesqui ◽  
Terry Orlick
Keyword(s):  
Sport Psychology ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Peripheral Vision ◽  
Attentional Focus ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Positive Thinking ◽  
Performance Tasks ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
And Performance

The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore the attentional focus experienced by elite soccer players in different soccer positions and performance tasks of both closed and open skills. No previous studies have explored elite soccer players’ attentional skills from a naturalistic and qualitative perspective in such detail. Data collection consisted of individual semistructured interviews with eight highly elite Brazilian soccer players from five main soccer positions, namely goalkeeper, defender, wing, midfielder, and forward. Important themes were positive thinking, performing on autopilot, and relying on peripheral vision. For example, thematic analysis indicated that in tasks where there may be an advantage in disguising one’s intentions (e.g., penalty kick), relying on peripheral vision was essential. Early mistakes were among the main sources of distractions; thus, players reported beginning with easy plays as a strategy to prevent distractions. Implications for applied sport psychology were drawn and future studies recommended.

scholarly journals The Use of Counseling Principles and Skills to Develop Practitioner-Athlete Relationships by Practitioners Who Provide Sport Psychology Support

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 276-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fran Longstaff ◽  
Misia Gervis
Keyword(s):  
Sport Psychology ◽  
Significant Role ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Counseling Skills ◽  
Working Alliances ◽  
Self Disclosure ◽  
Semistructured Interviews

This study examined how practitioners who provide sport psychology support use counseling principles and skills to develop practitioner-athlete relationships. Semistructured interviews were conducted with thirteen competent practitioners (Mean age = 41.2 ± 10.9 years old, five men, eight women). Thematic analysis revealed that the participants used a range of counseling principles to develop practitioner-athlete relationships including: the facilitative conditions, self-disclosure, counseling skills, the formation of working alliances, and awareness of the unreal relationship. The participants also described using noncounseling strategies (e.g., gaining an understanding of the athlete’s sporting environment) to build relationships with their athletes. There was considerable variation between the participants both in the training that they had received in counseling principles and skills, and how they applied them. It was concluded that counseling principles and skills play a significant role in the development of practitioner-athlete relationships.

Caregivers’ Experiences With Food Insecurity Screening and Impact of Food Insecurity Resources

2019 ◽  
Vol 58 (14) ◽  
pp. 1484-1492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin J. Orr ◽  
Christina Chauvenet ◽  
Holly Ozgun ◽  
Claudia Pamanes-Duran ◽  
Kori B. Flower
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Care Setting ◽  
Primary Care Setting ◽  
Infants And Children ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Spanish Speaking ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
The Impact

We explored caregivers’ experiences with food insecurity screening in a primary care setting and the impact of resources provided. English- and Spanish-speaking food insecure caregivers of children aged 1 to 5 years were recruited. In-depth individual semistructured interviews were conducted (n = 17) eliciting caregivers’ experiences with food insecurity, clinic screening, and resources provided. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Interviews were double-coded and thematic analysis was used to identify themes and subthemes. All caregivers described multiple and repeat experiences with food insecurity. Food insecurity screening was acceptable, but families were not always connected with resources. Caregivers described WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) as the most commonly used program to address food insecurity and infrequently utilized other food insecurity resources. Screening for food insecurity in primary care was generally well accepted by this sample of food insecure caregivers. Future studies are needed to determine how to improve connecting resources with families most in need.

scholarly journals The Self-Practice of Sport Psychologists: Do They Practice What They Preach?

2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 198-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Pack ◽  
Brian Hemmings ◽  
Monna Arvinen-Barrow
Keyword(s):  
Experiential Learning ◽  
Sport Psychology ◽  
Professional Practice ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
The Self ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Self Reflection ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Cognitive Techniques ◽  
Psychology Literature

The maturation processes of applied sport psychologists have received little research attention despite trainees and practitioners having often reported experiencing challenging circumstances when working with clients. Within clinical psychology literature the self-practice of cognitive techniques, alongside self-reflection, has been advocated as a means of addressing such circumstances, and as a significant source of experiential learning. The present study sought to identify the possible types of, and purposes for, self-practice among twelve UK-based sport psychology practitioners. Thematic analysis of semistructured interviews indicated all participants engaged in self-practice for reasons such as managing the self, enhancing understanding of intervention, and legitimising intervention. Some participants also described limitations to self-practice. Subsequently, three overriding themes emerged from analysis: a) the professional practice swamp, b) approaches to, and purposes for, self-practice, and, c) limitations of self-practice. It is concluded that self-practice may provide a means of better understanding self-as-person and self-as-practitioner, and the interplay between both, and is recommended as part of on-going practitioner maturation.

scholarly journals Advanced Psychological Strategies and Anxiety Responses in Sport

2008 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 472-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheldon Hanton ◽  
Ross Wadey ◽  
Stephen D. Mellalieu
Keyword(s):  
Sport Psychology ◽  
Perceived Control ◽  
Simulation Training ◽  
Elite Athletes ◽  
Cognitive Restructuring ◽  
Attentional Focus ◽  
Competitive Anxiety ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Anxiety Response ◽  
Individual Sports

This study examined the use of four advanced psychological strategies (i.e., simulation training, cognitive restructuring, preperformance routines, and overlearning of skills) and subsequent competitive anxiety responses. Semistructured interviews were employed with eight highly elite athletes from a number of team and individual sports. Participants reported using each strategy to enable them to interpret their anxiety-response as facilitative to performance. Only cognitive restructuring and overlearning of skills were perceived by the participants to exert an influence over the intensity of cognitive symptoms experienced. The perceived causal mechanisms responsible for these effects included heightened attentional focus, increased effort and motivation, and perceived control over anxiety-related symptoms. These findings have implications for the practice of sport psychology with athletes debilitated by competitive anxiety in stressful situations.

scholarly journals Player conceptualizations of creativity in digital entertainment games

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 1226-1247
Author(s):  
Johanna Hall ◽  
Ursula Stickler ◽  
Christothea Herodotou ◽  
Ioanna Iacovides
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Digital Games ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Art Form ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Digital Entertainment ◽  
Player Experience ◽  
Insight Into

Creativity has been widely studied across various disciplines such as psychology and education from a variety of perspectives and has been argued to provide a range of different benefits such as the development of transferrable skills. However, not much is known about how creativity is conceptualized within digital entertainment games from the perspective of the player. In addition to providing a scoping review of the field, this study aims to address current gaps in the literature by answering the research question: how do players conceptualize creativity within digital entertainment games? Data from 24 semistructured interviews and 14 narrative surveys with regular players of various genres of digital games were analyzed using qualitative methodology. Thematic analysis was performed, resulting in three main categories of conceptualizations: ways of thinking, constructing in games, and games as an art form. By providing an insight into how players view creativity in digital games, this article aims to illuminate this understudied facet of player experience and pave the way for future studies seeking to explore how digital games may promote creativity in those who play them.

scholarly journals Defining Romantic Self-Sabotage: A Thematic Analysis of Interviews With Practising Psychologists

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raquel Peel ◽  
Nerina Caltabiano ◽  
Beryl Buckby ◽  
Kerry McBain
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Current Literature ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Semistructured Interviews

Abstract The term ‘self-sabotage’ is not well defined in the current literature. Self-sabotage is generally explained as a synonym of self-handicapping, which does not fully encompass intrinsic behaviours found in romantic relationships. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to explore the theme of self-sabotage as viewed by practising psychologists. A series of 15 semistructured interviews with psychologists specialising in romantic relationships around Australia identified the main issues contributing to self-sabotage in romantic relationships and the reason why it might happen. Future studies will need to be conducted to develop a scale to empirically test self-sabotage in romantic relationships.

scholarly journals Practitioners’ Use of Motivational Interviewing in Sport: A Qualitative Enquiry

2021 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-82
Author(s):  
Rory Mack ◽  
Jeff Breckon ◽  
Joanne Butt ◽  
Ian Maynard
Keyword(s):  
Therapeutic Alliance ◽  
Motivational Interviewing ◽  
Sport Psychology ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Readiness For Change ◽  
Communication Styles ◽  
Training Curriculum ◽  
Contact Points ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Counseling Approach

This study explored the use of motivational interviewing (MI) in sport contexts by experts in that approach. Specifically, the purpose was to understand which aspects of the MI approach are deemed valuable for working in sport and to begin to understand how these aspects are best applied. Nine practitioners participated in semistructured interviews, and thematic analysis identified themes related to core and subcomponents of MI (e.g., relational spirit, technical microskills, applied tools, and the MI communication styles continuum). Additional themes relate to integrating MI with other interventions, the challenges of working with athletes (e.g., mandated attendance, ambivalence about change), and unique aspects of working in sport contexts (e.g., frequency, duration, and location of contact points). The participants also outlined essential ingredients for an MI training curriculum for practitioners in sport. This counseling approach appears to have valuable relational and technical components to facilitate the building of the therapeutic alliance, enhance athlete readiness for change, and support delivery of action-oriented interventions in applied sport psychology.

An investigation into the experiences of school counsellors working with adolescents

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Cathy G. Bettman ◽  
Alexander Digiacomo
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
School Context ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
School Staff ◽  
Mental Health Needs ◽  
School Counsellors ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Insight Into

Abstract Currently, Australia’s school counsellors are increasingly being called upon to respond to adolescent mental health needs. Through semistructured interviews with seven school counsellors working with adolescents, this qualitative study aimed to capture the lived experiences of this group of practitioners. By adopting a phenomenological approach and using thematic analysis, this study provides insight into their profession: the current ambiguity surrounding their role; the opportunities and obstacles they face; as well as the often-present tension between stakeholders including parents, other school staff and external agencies. The findings of this study indicate that school counsellors are challenged by the need to be advocates not only for their students but also for themselves and their roles within the school context.

The effect of mental practice on music memorization

2021 ◽  
pp. 030573562199523
Author(s):  
Claudia Iorio ◽  
Elvira Brattico ◽  
Frederik Munk Larsen ◽  
Peter Vuust ◽  
Leonardo Bonetti
Keyword(s):  
Memory Performance ◽  
Mental Practice ◽  
Physical Workload ◽  
Instrumental Performance ◽  
Musical Piece ◽  
Performance Tasks ◽  
Music Practice ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Music Memorization

Mental practice (MP) in music refers to the ability to rehearse music in the mind without any muscular movements or acoustic feedback. While previous studies have shown effects of the combination of MP and physical practice (PP) on instrumental performance, here we aimed to assess MP and PP effects on memory abilities. During a 1-week music practice protocol, classical guitarists were asked to practise a new musical piece using either a combination of MP and PP or PP alone. We asked participants to perform the piece and notate it at 3 different times: Day 1 and Day 7 of the 1-week practice protocol and 10 days after its completion (follow-up session). Results showed that the combination of MP and PP improves both notation and performance tasks compared with PP alone. Furthermore, we observed a clearer difference in memory performance in the follow-up session as compared with that in Day 7. Our results show that musicians can use both MP and PP to improve long-term retention and to reduce physical workload and playing-related overuse injuries. Therefore, we encourage music educators to teach MP in the classrooms rather than letting students discover it in a serendipitous way.

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