Self and Consciousness: Possible Implications for Mental Imagery Use in Sport Psychology

Mental imagery has been reported to be one of the most frequently and widely used techniques in applied sport psychology (Biddle 1997; Hall 1998; Martin, Moritz & Hall 1999; Perry & Morris 1995). The technique has been used successfully in a variety of applications, including skills acquisition and maintenance, in the form of mental practice, performance enhancement, preparation for competition, arousal control, building self confidence and pain management (Hall, Rodgers & Barr 1990; Martin, Moritz & Hall 1999; Murphy 1994; Murphy & Jowdy 1992). The scientific study of mental imagery in sport is still in its relative infancy, having started in ernest about 20 years ago, and critics have pointed to methodological shortcomings as well as unsubstantial theoretical underpinnings for explaining the above positive research findings (Hall 1998; Martin et al. 1999; Moran 1993; Murphy 1994; Suinn 1993). In their summaries of the research findings, Perry and Morris (1995) and Murphy (1994), contend that although mental imagery does improve performance, the details of the processes and mechanisms involved in mental imagery and sport performance have not as yet been fully explicated.