Complex Perceptual-Cognitive Expertise in a Simulated Task Environment

Abstract

In popular models of expertise and decision making in complex environments, such as the recognitionprimed decision (RPD) model and take-the-first (TTF) heuristic, expert and skilled decision makers are described as generating few response options and typically choose the best option first. To explain these behaviors, proponents of TTF have suggested that a negative relationship exists between the number of options generated and decision quality. In the current article, we use a prediction and situational option generation paradigm to assess perceptual-cognitive skill in the complex domain of soccer to determine whether these claims explain how decision makers make predictions about others in the environment.In three experiments we provide evidence to show that superior prediction performance was supported by a situation model-type mechanism as proposed by long-term working memory (LTWM) theory rather than simpler heuristics, such as TTF or RPD. The similarity between LTWM mechanisms and relevant macrocognitive processes is discussed. The data have important implications for how future experts should be trained and, in particular, for developing skilled comprehension, apprehension, and prediction skill.

Anticipation in soccer: a systematic review

“…Furthermore, Ward et al [9] examined how soccer players anticipate other players' movements in a complex environment. For this experiment, the authors selected 41 soccer players of whom 21 were classified as skilled and 20 as less-skilled.…”

“…We found that these analyses were performed with the aim of comparing players regarding their competitive level [1,2,[8][9][10][11][13][14][15]. In the study of Ward and Williams [8], videotaped scenes were used to assess (besides anticipation), memory and situational probabilities (i.e.…”

“…These include superior ability in recognizing information through opponents' postural cues, thus anticipating forthcoming movements [5], faster and more precise pattern recognition in structured situations that are specific of the task at hand [6] and superior ability to more precisely foresee (within time constraints) the movements of teammates and opponents [7,8]. Furthermore, research has been conducted with the aim to demonstrate that more experienced players are more precise in anticipating the time and movements of opponents, teammates and the ball [9][10][11].…”

Does Grit Influence Sport-Specific Engagement and Perceptual-Cognitive Expertise in Elite Youth Soccer?

“…Findings have demonstrated that elite players generally accumulate significantly more hours of sport-specific engagement compared to less skilled players (Roca et al, 2012;. Furthermore, researchers using video-based assessments have demonstrated perceptual-cognitive skills such as decision-making, situational probability assessment, and pattern recognition, differentiate skilled and lesser skilled athletes (Ward et al, 2013;Ward & Williams, 2003;Williams et al, 2006). However, researchers have not explored the potential relationship between these sport-specific variables and grit.…”

“…Participants' performance was specified by the position they finished in the national competition, with results indicating grittier spellers performed better than less gritty spellers. Duckworth and From a sporting perspective, researchers have demonstrated an expertise effect for perceptual-cognitive skills (Ward, Ericsson, & Williams, 2013;Ward & Williams, 2003;Williams, Hodges, North, & Barton, 2006), and sport-specific engagement Roca et al, 2012;. Retrospective recall techniques have been used to identify the time invested by skilled and less skilled players in sport-specific activities such as competition, training, and play.…”