Das "'Attention-Window"'-Modell - eine Exploration verschiedener Einflussfaktoren auf die Größe und Form des visuellen Aufmerksamkeitsfokus im Sport

Publication: Book/ReportDissertations

Abstract

Athletes, coaches, and referees frequently face the task of allocating their visual at-tention in fractions of seconds from a focused target to a wide scope, and vice versa. The optimal arrangement and flexible adaption of features of the attentional focus constitute an essential condition for successful sports achievements. Different situations in sports, such as an inaccurate pass, the overlooking of a free teammate, or an obviously misguided decision in an offside situation, suggest that the attentional focus is not always aligned optimally in size and shape. The aim of this research program is to extend the research in cognitive psychology in order to find new aspects concerning the possible orientation of visual attentional focus. The initial point for this is the Zoom-Lens-Model, which starts from the assumption of a variable lens where attention can either be focused on small areas with high resolution, or with lower resolution on large areas, depending on the situation. The model offers a figurative, metaphorical imagination of the direction of visual attention, but leaves open the specification of size and shape. With the aid of an experimental test series (13 single experiments/studies plus 3 preliminary studies), new and especially differential insights concerning the characteristics of visual attentional focus should be gained, as well as possible modifications through a variety of influential factors. Due to the Attention-Window-Paradigm, which was specifically developed for this research program, it is possible to compare the gained data of individual laboratory tests of individual publications so that general statements about the size and shape of attentional focus can be made based on various influential factors. Furthermore, an expanding approach of the Zoom-Lens-Model, the Attention-Window-Model, can be introduced. Altogether, three primary findings with regard to the investigated characteristics of the Attention-Window can be recorded. First, attentional focus can be extended up to a maximum visual angle of an average of approximately 29°. Second, processing accuracy of attentional focus is increased by an average of about 28% at focusing of a narrow range compared to another focus of attention. Third, it can be stated that the maximum Attention-Window presents itself in the shape of an ellipse. The size of the Attention-Window of a person depends on both long-term, experimentally not influenceable factors such as age and experience, as well as short-term factors depending on specific task or situation changes. The shape of the attentional focus, however, presents itself as an ellipse regardless of the influence factors. By means of a not only visual representation of the attentional focus, but also additional, differentiated knowledge regarding its properties, specific consequences and interventions for training concepts could be derived.
Original languageGerman
Publication statusPublished - 2014

Citation