Performance Influences Perception: A Study in Athletics
October 9th, 2009
Those who tackle challenges in any setting are likely to have experienced, at some point, a phenomenon in which tasks seem more difficult when attempts are unsuccessful, and easier when goals are reached. This experience recently been studied and documented within the context of athletics. Published in the journal Perception, the study was performed on a group of athletes concentrating in sports other than football; the participants were asked to kick a field goal, and their performance along with a self-reported follow-up was recorded. The study found that those athletes who performed well perceived a wider, lower goal, making for an easier target, while those who experienced difficulty in scoring perceived a taller and more narrow goal. The results suggest that relying on performance for perception may detract from the successful completion of subsequent tasks.
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Interesting find… this should help people who view the achievement of their goals to be tough to believe in themselves and believe that their goals are really achievable…
I completely agree with this report. When there is success it gives more and more confidence to a person and more confidence means he is more likely to achieve his target. that is exactly the reason why in sports like pole vault, sportspersons first go for an easy height and then gradually increase it.
^^very true. This is a perfect example to prove the results of the report… And yes, success does boost one’s performance and will result in a better performance the next attempt.
Sometimes when I build myself up and tell myself that I am going to have a great workout is when I feel the worst about the process. It is like I build it up too much in my head and can never meet those standards that I have set for myself. The impulse runs are the ones that feel the best for me- no prep work, just start running, and then no matter how far you go you can just feel good for having gotten out there and started moving.
Sportsmen have been taught for decades to perceive success as having already happened. When they can see the target as attainable and visualize that happening long before they ever get there, their chances of achieving the goal are increased.
Doctors and scientists said that breaking the four-minute mile was impossible, that one would die in the attempt. Thus, when I got up from the track after collapsing at the finish line, I figured I was dead. – Roger Bannister, 1952 (after breaking the four minute mile record)
Faith in oneself is crucial.
Sandy, it’s counterproductive to raise expectations in your head and not feel them in your heart. You need to have both to succeed. Truly believe it and you shall succeed. Without feeling it, you’ll have a hard time achieving it. Superior athletes have a passionate belief in themselves that one day they will get where they want to be.
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