Getting Your Attention
Person in a sports designed wheel chair smiling.
Attention and concentration in sports is a hot topic, and as with other hot topics in sports, there are different theories about attention. Attention is, basically, what we are seeing or observing. There is also value in understanding theory in order to understand how it can be applied in your life. So, while it may be a bit information dense, it will be worth taking the time. Below we will explore three different theories of attentional processes.
Theory 1: Information Processing
This theory seeks to understand the stimulus-response relationship where the stimulus is the information entering the body via the sensory system and the response is the behavior that results (Boutcher, 2008). It postulates that there are a number of stages between the stimulus and when the response is initiated. The models that come out of this theory seek to provide a framework for examining the characteristics of the following: perception, memory, decision making, and attention. Within this theory, attention is conceptualized as one’s ability to switch focus from one source of information to another, in addition to the amount of information that one can attend to at a time. Three themes that have been explored within this theory are those of interaction processes of selective attention, capacity, and alertness.
Theory 2: Social Psychology
Social psychology theory looks from the control processing perspective and has put forth ideas in the following areas: distraction theories, automatic functioning, and attentional style (Boutcher, 2008). The first area, distraction theories, focuses on how attention is lost through factors that attract attention to task-irrelevant cues. The second area looks at the disruptive effects of inappropriate attentional focus. This concept is related to the idea of automatic-processing. And, the final area of attention style acknowledges the individual differences that may exist regarding distractions and automatic-processing concepts also related to the automatic-processing idea. What is automatic-processing? Automatic processing is a type of thinking or cognition that does not require any effort or deliberation on the part of the person. For example, think about breathing as a more tangible, bodily example to work with. We don’t have to think about breathing. It just happens naturally. While breathing isn't a type of cognition it does hopefully get the idea across.
Theory 3: Psychophysiology
The final perspective identifies the mechanisms of attention by taking a look at each component (Boutcher, 2008). The research done in this area focuses on studying response potentials, such as heart rate and gaze behavior, to look at attention and how attention relates to performance. Think about a soccer player whose attention is directed at the soccer ball. Attention can then be measured by following the gaze behavior of the soccer player towards the ball.
Compare and Contrast
Now it is time to compare and contrast! The information processing theory focuses on the information that enters the sensory processing system versus the social psychology perspective that controls processing perspective. In other words, more of the internal process versus the environmental factors. Then there is the psychophysiological theory that looks at mechanisms using other parts of the body besides the brain. The social psychology perspective brings in the environment, acknowledging that we are not closed systems. What’s neat about these theories, however, is while they each take a different perspective, they seem to connect and build upon each other. If cleverly utilized, they help create a more complete picture that can then be used to help build attentional capacity.
We often look to interventions and helpers in the field to develop our attentional capabilities, especially in sports. There is performance value in building one’s attentional abilities. While this is important and a good strategy, there is value in understanding the theory behind why an intervention works or why a helper asks us to do something. For example, take distraction theory. If a soccer player is distracted on the field and misses and the ball comes rolling by and there is a missed opportunity to score a goal, performance drops. Or think about the attention it requires to look at data spreadsheets all day and accurately translate them into meaningful information. Now, if we understand distraction theory and how attention is lost through factors that attract attention to task-irrelevant cues, it makes sense to challenge ourselves to practice focusing on a task while distractions are going on. Understanding this task may encourage us to really engage in practice.
take action today moment:
Where do you put your attention? Spend some time thinking about or journaling about where you put your attention. Think beyond sports, though that is a good place to start if you are an athlete.Where do you put your attention in life? Is all of your attention put into work? Are there areas of your life where you would like to put more attention? Now that you have some awareness of your attentional patterns, what changes would you like to make, if any, and how can you use the information you learned in this post to inspire your journey?
Learn More About Motivation:
Concentration and Attention in Sport
References
Boutcher, S. H. (2008). Attentional processes and sport performance, In T. S. Horn (Ed.), Advances in sport psychology (3rd ed.) (pp. 325-338). Human Kinetics Inc.
Park, N. W., Moscovitch, M., & Robertson, I. H. (1999). Divided attention impairments after traumatic brain injury. Neuropsychologia, 37(10), 1119-1133.
Yantis, S. (2008). The neural basis of selective attention: Cortical sources and targets of attentional modulation. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 17(2), 86-90.