The efect of skill level on mental rehearsal
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Authors
Sterling, Kent
Issue Date
1990
Type
Thesis
Language
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
This study was designed to determine the effect of skill level on the correlation between mental rehearsal and the subsequent performance of a physical task. It was hypothesized that if a person has an adequate skill level at a particular physical task, then the positive effect of mental rehearsal on the person's subsequent performance will be greater than if that person is a novice at the task. Shooting basketball free throws was used as the dependent measure of physical performance. A sample of twenty-eight was comprised equally of skilled and unskilled girls who were divided evenly between control and experimental treatment groups. All groups engaged in a baseline pretest of twenty free throws, with the control groups following immediately with a post-test of twenty free throws. The treatment groups received mental rehearsal training, and then performed the post-test of twenty free throws. The scores from the pretest and post-test were then compared for all groups. The results strongly supported the hypothesis, with the skilled participants from the experimental group showing significant improvement as opposed to the group of non-skilled participants who also received mental rehearsal. The results are discussed from the perspective of whether physical skills can be enhanced through mental rehearsal, a cognitive activity.