The effects of positive and negative imagery on motor skill performance

Abstract

Investigated the effect of positive and negative imagery instructions on a simple motor-skill-accuracy task (putting a golf ball). 30 college students were blocked on their putting ability and randomly assigned within blocks to 1 of 3 experimental conditions: positive imagery, negative imagery, and control. Ss in the 2 imagery conditions were given the identical instructions for imagining the backswing and putting stroke. In the positive imagery group, Ss imagined the ball going into the cup, while Ss using negative imagery visualized the ball narrowly missing the cup. Ss in the control group putted without instructions. On each of 6 consecutive days, a 10-putt trial was conducted for each S. There was a significant main effect on performance improvement for the experimental manipulation. Post hoc analyses showed significant differences among all groups, with positive imagery producing the most improvement, the control condition producing less, and negative imagery resulting in performance deterioration. Findings suggest that imagery affects self-confidence.