Directing attention to movement effects enhances learning: A review

Abstract

Studies investigating the influence of the learner' s focus of attention, induced by instructions or feedback, on motor skill learning are reviewed. In general, directing performers' attention to the effects of their movements (external focus of attention) appears to be more beneficial than directing their attention to their own movements (internal focus of attention). Preliminary evidence is presented indicating that an internal attentional focus constrains the motor system by interfering with natural control processes, whereas an external focus seems to allow automatic control processes to regulate the movements. Support for the view that actions are controlled by their anticipated effects comes from research demonstrating functional variability in motor control, as well as the benefits of purposeful activity in occupational therapy. We explain these results in terms of the ideomotor principle of human actions (James, 1890) and its more modern derivatives (

A Systematic Review of the Effect of Cognitive Strategies on Strength Performance

“…Drawing on Wulf and Prince's [33] research regarding the focus of attention (where an external focus is regarded as better for performance than an internal focus), we hypothesize that performance goals may influence strength performance more positively than process goals. Performance goals may be aligned with an external focus, whereas process goals may be associated with an internal focus.…”

Brain responses during strategic online gaming of varying proficiencies: Implications for better gaming

“…One speculative possibility is that gaming may involve aspects of automatic processing. Such an interpretation would be consistent with findings from sports studies in which automatic processing may be accompanied by improved performance, with extra attention potentially disrupting optimal performance (Wu et al., 2015; Wulf & Prinz, 2001). Studies have also suggested that during a competitive task, more attention to performance, leading to less automaticity, may disrupt a well‐practiced skill (Wulf & Prinz, 2001).…”

“…Such an interpretation would be consistent with findings from sports studies in which automatic processing may be accompanied by improved performance, with extra attention potentially disrupting optimal performance (Wu et al., 2015; Wulf & Prinz, 2001). Studies have also suggested that during a competitive task, more attention to performance, leading to less automaticity, may disrupt a well‐practiced skill (Wulf & Prinz, 2001). Other findings suggest that when a movement becomes automatic, neural efficiency is increased by the strengthening of connections within specific neural networks (Balsters & Ramnani, 2011; Wu et al., 2015).…”

“…The middle frontal gyrus and anterior cingulate cortex have been implicated in executive control; for example, individuals with frontal lesions exhibit problems with goal‐directed behaviors, especially in novel tasks involving control processing (Brown, 2011; Crone & Steinbeis, 2017; Gourley & Taylor, 2016; Posner & Rothbart, 1998). The inferior frontal gyrus has been implicated in decision‐making (Jimura, Chushak, Westbrook, & Braver, 2017; Wang et al., 2016) and inhibitory control (Bari & Robbins, 2013; Shao, Zhang, & Lee, 2015). The inferior frontal gyrus is also a critical area for action implementation based on value information, through connections with limbic areas via the insula and with motor cortices (Bari & Robbins, 2013; Shao et al., 2015).…”

“…In one respect, online gaming may improve performance on visual, attentional, perceptual, and cognitive tasks (Anguera et al., 2013; Bejjanki et al., 2014; Li, Polat, Makous, & Bavelier, 2009) and has been associated with changes in neural functioning (West et al., 2015). On the other hand, excessive gaming has been linked to a variety of disorders, especially Internet gaming disorder, which may involve functional impairments and social, financial, and occupational difficulties (Dong, Wang, Du, & Potenza, 2017; Wang et al., 2016). …”