THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN IMAGERY TYPE AND COLLECTIVE EFFICACY IN ELITE AND NON ELITE ATHLETES

• Main Authors: David A. Shearer, Rob Thomson, Stephen D. Mellalieu, Catherine R. Shearer
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of Uludag 2007-06-01
• Series: Journal of Sports Science and Medicine
• Subjects: Mental rehearsal; mental skills; team confidence; self efficacy; group dynamics
• Online Access: http://www.jssm.org/vol6/n2/4/v6n2-4text.php

This study investigated the relationship between imagery function and individual perceptions of collective efficacy as a function of skill level. Elite (n = 70) and non elite (n = 71) athletes from a number of interactive team sports completed the Sport Imagery Questionnaire (SIQ) and the Collective Efficacy Inventory (CEI). Multiple hierarchical regression analysis was then used to examine which SIQ sub-scales predicted individual perceptions of collective efficacy. For the elite sample, Motivational General-Mastery (MG-M) imagery accounted for approximately 17% of the variance in collective efficacy scores. No significant predictions were observed in the non elite sample. The findings suggest MG-M imagery as a potential technique to improve levels of collective efficacy although competitive level may moderate the effectiveness of such interventions