Factors influencing the effects of instructed human imagining behaviour on subsequent performance.

Abstract

Numerous anecdotal reports from athletes and coaches suggest that performance of a physical skill can be improved by imaginal practising of that skill. Practising a skill in one's imagination has been called symbolic rehearsal, mental practice, mental rehearsal, conceptualizing practice, imaginal practice, covert rehearsal, and instructed human imagining behaviour (IHIB). For at least 50 years, researchers have attempted to empirically demonstrate the effects of instructed human imagining behaviour on subsequent performance. A review of the IHIB and related literature suggests (a) that although IHIB can influence skill performance, it may not always do so; (b) that the conceptual schemes involved in IHIB need careful development; and (c) that before IHIB can be used to effectively and systematically improve performance, we need to identify critical variables involved in IHIB. An alternative explanation of IHIB and its effects on subsequent performance based on radical behaviourism is described and examined. This conceptual scheme proposes that IHIB is similar to the overt behaviour and thus, shares similar controlling variables. Three experiments, investigated the effects of presenting task-specific auditory stimuli during IHIB procedures. The results suggest that task-specific auditory stimuli increase the similarity between IHIB and the target behaviour, and that it is this similarity that mediates the effects of IHIB on subsequent performance.