Developing Childhood Proclivities into Adult Competencies: The Overlooked Multiplier Effect

Button

Collins³

2010

The Sport Psychologist

159

140

MacNamara, Button, & Collins (under review) proposed that if individuals are to fulfill their potential they must possess and systematically develop a specific set of skills (termed Psychological Characteristics of Developing Excellence or PCDEs) that allow them to interact effectively with the developmental opportunities they are afforded. Given the complexity of the developmental pathway, it may well be that different skills are needed at different stages of development and across different performance domains. Twenty-four elite participants from team sports, individual sports, and music were purposefully sampled from different domains and interviewed on their experiences of their own pathways to excellence. Results suggested that although PCDEs were important throughout development, the manner by which they were deployed depended on stage, domain, and the characteristics of the individual performer. These findings support proposals to systematically incorporate PCDEs into TID practices because these may be the key feature in maintaining progress toward excellence.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of Psychological Characteristics in Facilitating the Pathway to Elite Performance Part 2: Examining Environmental and Stage-Related Differences in Skills and Behaviors

Button

Collins³

2010

The Sport Psychologist

159

140

“…if that [the ability to use imagery to pre-create a scenario] were easily measured I'm sure that would be a good way of finding out who could be good in a skilful, technical event such as javelin throwing. [Javelin thrower] These psychological factors (e.g., imagery) allowed the aspiring elites to cope with the unique pressures associated with performing in novel environments (Ceci, Barnett, & Kanaya, 2003) by optimizing development opportunities (e.g., first time appearances at a new level of competition), and effectively negotiating the transitions (e.g., selection onto teams) encountered along the pathway to excellence. The curler's example of how he used imagery to facilitate competitive performance supports this contention:…”

Section: [Thought Left Hanging] [Sculler]mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of Psychological Characteristics in Facilitating the Pathway to Elite Performance Part 1: Identifying Mental Skills and Behaviors

Button

Collins

2010

The Sport Psychologist

275

204

Given the complexity of the talent development process, it seems likely that a range of psychological factors underpin an athlete's ability to translate potential into top-class performance. Therefore, the purpose of part one of this two-part investigation was to explore the attributes that facilitate the successful development of athletes from initial involvement to achieving and maintaining world-class status. Seven elite athletes and a parent of each of these athletes were interviewed regarding their own (their son's/ daughter's) development in sport. Data were content analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Although sporting achievement was conceptualized as being multidimensional, psychological factors were highlighted as the key determinants of those who emerged as talented and maintained excellence. Accordingly, we suggest that talent identification and development programs should place greater emphasis on the advancement and application of psychological behaviors at an early stage to optimize both the development and performance of athletes.Considerable research evidence attests to the role of psychological factors as determinants of elite performance. Orlick and Partington (1998), for example, identified psychological "success factors" (e.g., high level of commitment, long and short term goals, imagery, focus, pre-and in-competition plans) that distinguished successful athletes from their less successful counterparts. Supporting these find-

“…In contrast, talent is increasingly viewed as a dynamic and multidimensional conception, with a parallel awareness of the array of factors (e.g. environmental, social, psychological, support) that contribute to the realization of potential (Ceci et al, 2003). Furthermore, we are very aware of the crucial role played by the social context and significant others (e.g.…”

Section: Abstract : Performance Talent Talent Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As Sloboda (1985) suggests, musicians do not achieve competence as a result of solely musical ability, but rather draw on a varied array of skills and knowledge to maximize their potential. Reflecting this contention, others in the expertise research field describe experts as exceptional, motivated individuals who take advantage of environmental factors that are associated with skill development (Ceci et al, 2003). Furthermore, this deliberate practice model suggests that the development of expertise requires the interaction of different elements (metacognitive skills, learning skills, thinking skills, knowledge, motivation and context), and that these elements both influence and are influenced by each other.…”

Section: Abstract : Performance Talent Talent Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Negotiating transitions in musical development: the role of psychological characteristics of developing excellence

Holmes

Collins

2008

Psychology of Music

The challenges of developing potential to achieve high-level performance in music are considerable. Furthermore, research is increasingly emphasizing the multidimensional and dynamic construction of talent, along with an awareness of the central role of psycho-behavioural factors in the realization of potential. Moreover, in order to achieve success, developing musicians must negotiate key transitions between stages of development. In order to investigate these various challenges, world-class musicians were purposefully sampled and interviewed about their development in music. Subsequently, key transitions within their career, as well as the skills and characteristics needed to negotiate these transitions, were identified. Results suggest that the ability to negotiate transitions between stages of development is mediated by the development and employment of a range of psychological characteristics of developing excellence (PCDEs). These PCDEs appear similar to those employed in other performance domains and support increasing empirical evidence of the development of psycho-behavioural characteristics as a core feature of talent development processes.