Does Self-Modeling Affect Imagery Ability or Vividness?

Abstract

Research has shown imagery interventions to be important tools for learning new skills, as well as enhancing competitive performance. Moreover, imagery vividness and ability are two factors shown to contribute to their effectiveness. Therefore, learning ways to increase one's imagery vividness and ability is important. Hence, the present research examined the effects of an external stimulus (i.e., a self-modeling video) on one's imagery vividness and ability. A self-modeling video is an edited video showing the desired target behaviors; in this case it was a competitive dive. Two imagery measures (VMIQ and MIQ-R) were used to capture whether the self-modeling video would influence competitive divers' imagery vividness and ability. Seven competitive divers were administered both imagery measures at pre-test and post-test. After pre-test scores were taken, the participants' individual self-modeling videos were shown on three occasions before each competition and once at each competition. The results for the VMIQ indicated that imagery vividness when imaging the self was significantly better than when imaging others, F(1,6) = 7.44, p < 0.05, ?2 = .54. Of more importance is that the participants' imagery vividness increased after the self-modeling video had been administered for imaging one self but not for imaging others, although this only approached significance, F(1,6) = 3.70, p = .107, ?2 = .38. No significant results, however, were found for imagery ability. These findings suggest that there is potential for a self-modeling video to positively influence an athletes' imagery vividness.

Action Observation and Imagery Training Improve the Ease With Which Athletes Can Generate Imagery

“…Issues related to imagery ability (i.e., image clarity, image control, and image maintenance) are controlled for during action observation through the video editing process (Holmes & Calmels, 2008). Video-based action observation may, therefore, be an effective method of improving imagery ability characteristics, whereby repeated exposures to a video model may facilitate ease of image generation (Rymal & Ste-Marie, 2009). Of interest, the discovery of mirror neurons in humans (i.e., neurons that are active both when a movement is executed and observed; Gallese, Fadiga, Fogassi, & Rizzolatti, 1996) has revealed that action observation also activates the motor system in a similar manner to physical movement.…”

“…However, the effects of repeated action observation on ease of image generation in sport specific contexts are less well understood. Rymal and Ste-Marie (2009) investigated this issue by comparing the effect of action observation training on the ease of image of generation and imagery vividness in competitive junior divers. Seven participants completed pretest self-report questionnaires to assess their imagery abilities.…”

“…In addition, there is also considerable literature which indicates that imagery is an effective technique for improving various aspects of golf performance (e.g., Hammond et al, 2012;Smith & Holmes, 2004;Smith, Wright, & Cantwell, 2008). The experiment also aimed to address the limitations associated with Rymal and Ste-Marie's (2009) research. Specifically, the efficacy of action observation training in improving the ease with which athletes could generate imagery was compared against imagery training and physical practice (control) conditions to determine which technique may be more effective.…”

Around me

“…In our daily lives, we can find several situations where people do this: people rehearsing presentations; medical personnel rehabilitating patients or assisting elders; and people practicing sports such as baseball, dance, or golf. Especially in sports, using self-images is regarded as an effective way to improve a player's abilities [1] and they are often used by amateurs as well as professionals [2].…”

Sailing Video-Imagery: Impacts on Imagery Ability

“…physical, imagery, video, and modeling) have previously been overlooked (Rymal & Ste-Marie, 2009;Smith & Holmes, 2004). While forms of modeling and imagery "have often been studied separately, it is likely that combining observation and imagery in the same research will lead to a better understanding of both" (Cumming & Williams, 2011, p. S11).…”