The Beneficial Effects of Anticipating Anxiety-Related Symptoms: An Investigation of Paradoxical-Success Imagery in the Laboratory
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Derek de la Peña
This study investigated the efficacy of a paradoxical imagery strategy that consisted of participants imaging themselves experiencing symptoms characteristic of competitive anxiety, prior to executing a golf-chip shot. Forty male golfers of moderate skill level participated in a two-day experiment conducted in the laboratory. Wegner's (1994) theory of ironic processes of mental control served as the theoretical framework. In addition to the paradoxical component, the imagery technique (paradoxical-success imagery) of interest included additional substantiated components: cognitive specific (i.e., skill), motivational general-mastery (i.e., confidence/focus), kinesthetic, and positive-outcome imagery (Martin et al., 1999). Participants employing the paradoxical imagery strategy showed significant performance improvement in both competitive and pressure situations compared to pre-treatment levels. The findings suggest that paradoxical-success imagery can potentially facilitate performance, when combined with appropriate imagery components and training. Practical implications, potential drawbacks, and suggestions for future research with paradoxical imagery are discussed.
©2011 Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin/Boston
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- The Effects of a Video-Aided Imagery Intervention upon Collective Efficacy in an International Paralympic Wheelchair Basketball Team
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- The Role of Intentionality in Simulated Motor Actions
- Are Images of Exercising Related to Feeling States?
- Does Self-Modeling Affect Imagery Ability or Vividness?
- Impact of Differing Frequencies of PETTLEP Imagery on Netball Shooting Performance
- Characteristics Affecting the Use of Imagery: A Youth Sports Academy Study
- Psychometric Properties of the Revised Movement Imagery Questionnaire (MIQ-R)
- The Beneficial Effects of Anticipating Anxiety-Related Symptoms: An Investigation of Paradoxical-Success Imagery in the Laboratory
Articles in the same Issue
- Article
- The Use of Exercise-Related Mental Imagery by Middle-Aged Adults
- The Effects of a Video-Aided Imagery Intervention upon Collective Efficacy in an International Paralympic Wheelchair Basketball Team
- An Examination of Ice Hockey Players' Imagery Use and Movement Imagery Ability
- The Role of Intentionality in Simulated Motor Actions
- Are Images of Exercising Related to Feeling States?
- Does Self-Modeling Affect Imagery Ability or Vividness?
- Impact of Differing Frequencies of PETTLEP Imagery on Netball Shooting Performance
- Characteristics Affecting the Use of Imagery: A Youth Sports Academy Study
- Psychometric Properties of the Revised Movement Imagery Questionnaire (MIQ-R)
- The Beneficial Effects of Anticipating Anxiety-Related Symptoms: An Investigation of Paradoxical-Success Imagery in the Laboratory
