|
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN IMAGERY TYPE AND COLLECTIVE EFFICACY IN
ELITE AND NON ELITE ATHLETES
|
1Department of Sports Science, Swansea University, UK, 2Department of
Psychology, University of East London, UK, 3Department of Sports Science,
Sports Council for Wales, UK
| Received |
|
28 August 2006 |
| Accepted |
|
09
February 2007 |
| Published |
|
01
June 2007 |
©
Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2007) 6, 180 - 187
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| ABSTRACT |
| 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.
KEY
WORDS: Mental rehearsal, mental skills, team confidence, self
efficacy, group dynamics.
|
| INTRODUCTION |
|
Collective
efficacy has been described as an emergent group attribute composed
of individual perceptions (Feltz and Lirgg, 1998).
It represents the group equivalent of self-efficacy and is defined
as "a group's shared belief in its conjoint capabilities to
organize and execute the courses of action required to produce given
levels of attainment" (Bandura, 1997;
p. 477). Consequently, it is an important component for team sports
because it can influence a team's collective effort, their persistence
in tough situations or defeat, and is a characteristic often observed
in successful teams (Bandura, 1997).
Accordingly, sport psychology research has consistently demonstrated
that collective efficacy has positive effects on sport performance
(e.g., Feltz and Lirgg, 1998;
Greenlees et al., 1999;
Hodges and Carron, 1992;
Watson et al., 2001).
Despite this support, there has been a lack of research investigating
the potential interventions that might increase collective efficacy
and influence subsequent team performance. However, before developing
specific interventions, research should first explore the correlates
of collective efficacy and this forms part of the rationale for
conducting this study. For individual athletes, applied sport psychologists
often recommend mental imagery as a technique to improve individual
performance. Indeed, Bandura suggests that imagery helps to increase
self-efficacy and consequently performance. Given the close association
between self-efficacy and collective efficacy, and because collective
efficacy perceptions are also manifested at an individual level,
it is therefore probable that imagery will also increase collective
efficacy.
In a review of over 200 scientific studies on imagery, the majority
of investigations indicated that imagery improved sport performance
(Martin et al., 1999).
Since 1999, research has continued to support these findings and
has highlighted that imagery can increase performance through a
number of different mechanisms (e.g., Evans et al., 2004;
Smith et al., 2001;
Smith and Holmes, 2004).
One of these mechanisms is via changes in self-efficacy and state
sport confidence. Although similar, these two constructs differ
slightly, such that self-efficacy beliefs relates to confidence
for a specific situation or task, whereas state sport confidence
reflects confidence levels at a specific moment in time. Bandura,
1997
suggests that two sources of self-efficacy, vicarious experience
and enactive mastery experience, can be attained through the use
of imagery or 'cognitive rehearsal'. Accordingly, research
has indicated that imagery use by athletes is predictive of their
levels of self-efficacy (e.g. Beauchamp et al., 2002)
and can be used as an intervention to increase both self-efficacy
perceptions (Jones et al., 2002)
and state sport confidence (Callow et al., 2001).In
recent years, imagery use by athletes has been broadly categorized
into five functions defined during the development of the Sport
Imagery Questionnaire (SIQ; Hall et al., 1998).
These five functions were separated into cognitive and motivational
categories (see Paivio, 1985).
Specifically, cognitive imagery functions include: Cognitive
Specific (CS), which involves imagery that focuses on improving
a specific motor skill; and Cognitive General (CG), which
entails imaging strategies/plays that might be used in specific
competitions. The motivational imagery functions include: Motivational
Specific (MS), which is used to image successfully achieving
personal goals; Motivational General-Mastery (MG-M), which
requires the individual to image being mentally tough and confident
in all circumstances; and Motivational General-Arousal (MG-A),
representing imagery that involves feelings of relaxation, stress,
arousal, and anxiety associated with sport. Recently, Short et al.
(2002)
discussed the important conceptual distinction between imagery type/content
and function. Specifically, they suggested that the items in the
SIQ represented different types or content of imagery and that athletes
could use these for a variety of different functions. To use imagery
successfully, therefore, researchers recommend the type of imagery
used should match the intended outcome. This suggests that to increase
athlete's feelings of efficacy, an intervention which focuses on
MG-M imagery content would be most appropriate (cf. Martin et al.,
1999).
Studies exploring the link between imagery functions and sport confidence
(e.g. Abma et al., 2002;
Callow and Hardy, 2001),
and imagery function and self-efficacy (Beauchamp et al., 2002;
Mills et al., 2001),
have indicated that athletes high in these constructs use specific
types of imagery. For example, Callow and Hardy, 2001
found that CG and MG-M imagery were related to state confidence
in lower skilled county netballers, whereas MS imagery was related
to state confidence in higher skilled county netball players. The
authors suggested that the low-skilled sample used MG-M type imagery
as a source of performance accomplishment information to enhance
efficacy expectations, while the high-skilled sample used MS type
imagery to image specific images associated with goal achievement.
Similarly, Mills et al., 2001
observed that athletes high in self-efficacy in competition situations
used more motivational types of imagery than athletes who had low
self-efficacy.
Research evidence has indicated that perceptions of self-efficacy
are important determinants of collective efficacy (Magyar et al.,
2004;
Riggs and Knight, 1994;
Watson et al., 2001).
For example, Magyar et al., 2004
discovered that self-efficacy perceptions significantly predicted
individual perceptions of collective efficacy in rowers. Furthermore,
Bandura (1982, p.143) suggests that "collective efficacy is rooted
in self-efficacy". Therefore, if collective efficacy is in
part determined by self-efficacy, both should logically share the
same antecedents (Bandura, 1997).
In particular, vicarious experience and mastery expectations provided
through imagery may not only increase self-efficacy, but also as
a consequence increase individual perceptions of collective efficacy.
In short, simply imaging individual components of performance may
increase individual perceptions of collective efficacy.
In addition to the indirect influence through self-efficacy, imagery
may also directly influence perceptions of collective efficacy.
Indeed, Callow, 1999
has suggested that CG type imagery may influence a team's collective
efficacy as it allows an individual to rehearse game elements such
as team moves or plays. Similarly, as MG-M type imagery provides
both enactive mastery and vicarious experiences (Bandura, 1997),
this also would be likely to increase collective efficacy. To date,
only Munroe-Chandler and Hall, 2004
have tested the effects of an imagery intervention on collective
efficacy. Specifically, the authors utilized a multiple baseline
across groups design with a sample of female soccer players and
found MG-M imagery increased collective efficacy in two of the three
experimental groups. Although these initial findings provide preliminary
support for the imagery use and collective efficacy relationship,
Munroe-Chandler and Hall's research was limited to a young (10-12
years old), non elite sample. Given the existing findings regarding
imagery use and self-efficacy (e.g. Abma et al., 2002)
it is likely therefore that perceptions of collective efficacy and
imagery type may differ as a function of skill level. Furthermore,
because collective efficacy was examined at the group level, little
is known about the relationship between imagery use and individual
perceptions of collective efficacy. As imagery is largely an intervention
used to manipulate individual cognitions, primary effects of the
intervention occur at the individual level. Therefore, understanding
which imagery functions are used by athletes with high collective
efficacy beliefs, from different competitive levels, will help the
development of suitable imagery interventions.
To develop a more accurate understanding of the relationship between
collective efficacy and imagery types, the selection of appropriate
measurement criteria is essential. In particular, recent research
has heavily emphasized the use of a multilevel approach to examine
group constructs such as collective efficacy (e.g. Watson et al.,
2001).
Multilevel approaches examine each individual's perception of their
team's collective efficacy and also the aggregated perceptions of
the group as a whole. To match the definition of collective efficacy
as a "shared belief", perceptual consensus should exist
at a group level regarding the collective efficacy of that team
(Feltz and Lirgg, 1998).
While a multi-level analysis has a number of advantages over single
level analysis for examining group construct (cf. Moritz and Watson,
1998).
Carron et al., 1998
suggest that the appropriate level of analysis depends upon the
research question being answered. Gully et al. (2002)
also suggest that the level of theory being considered should dictate
the measurement and analysis. Indeed, recent research on collective
efficacy (Heuze et al., 2006)
and cohesion (Hardy et al., 2003) has followed this philosophy. In our study, as imagery
is an individual cognitive process, we therefore chose to examine
its relationship with individual perceptions of collective efficacy,
rather than those aggregated at a group level.
A further issue concerning the level of measurement of collective
efficacy relates to the operationalisation of collective efficacy
measures (c.f. Bandura, 1997). Currently, four possible operational definitions of
collective efficacy have been suggested. The first method aggregates
the self efficacy scores for each individual in the team/group.
However, while collective efficacy may be an extension of self-efficacy,
the two are not the same (Bandura, 1982; p143). The second method uses a group response to a single
question to attain a consensus of collective efficacy beliefs. Although
this method directly relates to collective efficacy perceptions,
Bandura (1997, p.479) suggests that individual responses would be effected
by social persuasion and conformity. Therefore, results might be
biased towards the perceptions and opinions of stronger characters
within the group. The third methods aggregates team/group members
own perception of what they believe their team's collective efficacy
is. For example, "I believe my team is confident".
In contrast, the final method aggregates each individual's perceptions
of the teams' perceptions of collective efficacy; for example "my
team believes we are confident". Previous research indicates
that both the third and fourth operational definitions are equally
suited to the measurement of collective efficacy (Short et al.,
2002). Consequently, these operations were used in the current
study.
In summary, the current literature suggests that certain imagery
functions predict self-efficacy and that imagery interventions can
be used to increase self-efficacy and self confidence. Furthermore,
it has also been demonstrated that self-efficacy strongly predicts
and moderates individual perceptions of collective efficacy. Given
these relationships, it is therefore likely that certain individual
imagery functions will also predict collective efficacy through
their influence on self-efficacy perceptions. Therefore, the aim
of this study was to investigate which individual imagery functions
predicted high individual perceptions of collective efficacy in
team sport athletes. As previous studies have indicated that MG-M
type imagery is significantly associated with self-efficacy scores
(e.g. Beauchamp et al., 2002) and CG imagery is suggested to allow rehearsal of team
plays (Callow, 1999), it was proposed that a similar relationship would exist
with collective efficacy. Specifically, it was hypothesized that
MG-M and CG imagery would account for the most variance in collective
efficacy scores. Based upon the evidence that suggests those athletes
competing at a higher level consider imagery more relevant to performance
than those competing at a recreational standard (e.g. Cumming and
Hall, 2002), it was also predicted that both MG-M and CG imagery
would explain more variance in collective efficacy at a high competitive
standard (elite) compared to that of a lower competitive standard
(non elite).
|
| METHODS |
|
Participants
Participants (n = 141) were recruited for the study via opportunity
sampling from three interactive team sports (football, rugby union,
and wheelchair basketball). The sample consisted male athletes ranging
in age from 18 to 55 years (Mean = 24.4, SD = 5.8 years). The competitive
standard ranged from recreational to elite/international and professional,
as defined by the competitive level of the team they were representing
at the time. For the purposes of this study, this sample was divided
into elite and non elite performers. Elite performers (n = 70; Mean
= 25.5, SD = 5.7 years) were those individuals who were currently
competing at semi-professional, professional, and international
standard. Specifically, we defined elite level athletes as those
who were playing for teams that required professional commitment
(i.e. payment or contract). In contrast, non elite performers (n
= 71; Mean = 23.3, SD = 5.5 years) were those individuals that competed
at recreational, amateur, or university standard without any formal
commitment, contract, or payment. Based on this distinction, it
was assumed therefore that the elite sample would be training and
competing more regularly than the non elite sample and as such they
would have higher levels of competitive experience and skill.
Measures
Collective Efficacy Inventory (CEI): The CEI (Callow et al.,
2003)
is a 10-item inventory designed to measure collective efficacy in
sport. The CEI contains five distinct items, each used twice, with
two different item stems. The first item stem, "I believe",
measures the individual's personal beliefs of the team's collective
efficacy. For example, item one, "I believe that the team
is capable of performing at a high level". The second item
stem, "my team believes", measures the individual's
perception of their team's belief of collective efficacy. For example,
item five, "My team believes that the team is capable of
performing at a high level". In accordance with previous
research (e.g., Watson et al., 2001) each item is measured on a 5 point likert scale ranging
from 1 (not at all) to 5 (very much so). Preliminary
confirmatory factor analyses of the CEI have demonstrated strong
factor validity for the 10 item questionnaire [χ2
= 50.924 (p = 0.0135) df = 31; RMSEA = 0.049; NNFI = 0.978; Callow
et al., 2003].
However, both factors were shown to correlate highly (r = 0.94)
which indicated that both factors were measuring the same construct.
Indeed, Short et al., 2002 found comparable results using similar item stems. However,
we recognize that the CEI was presented at a conference and has
not been through a process of peer review. Despite this, no one
single measure of collective efficacy has been fully validated,
with the majority of research using non-validated measures (e.g.
Greenlees et al., 1999; Heuze et al., 2006). In contrast, the CEI has undergone a validation process
with encouraging initial results. In this instance, given the high
correlation previously observed between the two factors, scores
were aggregated across all 10 items in the questionnaire.
Sports Imagery Questionnaire (SIQ): The SIQ was developed
by Hall et al., 1998 to measure imagery functions in sport. The questionnaire
comprises thirty items designed to measure five different functions
of imagery, represented by five separate sub-scales. These sub-scales
are Cognitive General (CG: e.g. "I image alternative strategies
in case my event/game plan fails"), Cognitive Specific
(CS: e.g. "I can mentally make corrections to physical skills"),
Motivational Specific (MS: e.g. "I imagine myself winning
a medal"), Motivational General-Arousal (MG-A: e.g. "I
imagine the stress and anxiety associated with competing"),
and Motivational General-Mastery (MG-M; e.g. "I imagine
myself appearing self confident in front of my opponents").
Participants respond on a seven point scale with regard to how often
they use each functions of imagery (1 = rarely and 7 = often).
The scores for each sub-scale are calculated as the sum of the item
scores for that subscale. The construct validity of the five SIQ
factors was rigorously tested during its development and predictive
validity was supported by data that indicated that imagery function
predicted performance (Hall et al., 1998). The sub-scales of the SIQ have demonstrated internal
consistency alpha coefficients scores ranging from 0.68 to 0.90
(Hall et al., 1998; Abma et al., 2002). In our study, the alpha coefficients for the subscales
of the SIQ scores ranged from 0.74 to 0.87, except on the MG-A scale
(α= 0.48). The formula for coefficient alpha means that the
larger the number of items in a scale, the greater its reliability
(Peterson, 1994).
However, all five subscales of the SIQ have 6 items, therefore,
the low alpha score for the MG-A scale could be attributed to the
differing emotional content of the items for this factor. Specifically,
the MG-A factor is designed to measure the athlete's use of emotional
imagery, however the factor contains items that relate to both images
of anxiety and excitement, hence confounding positive and negative
emotions. Nunnaly, 1978
and Bland and Altman, 1997
suggest that satisfactory Cronbach's alpha scores range from 0.7
to 0.8, which suggests that 0.7 would be the minimum level. For
this reason, MG-A was excluded from the analysis.
Procedure
Following ethical approval from the University Psychology Department
ethics committee, contact was made with a member of each team's
management. Zacarro et al. (1995) indicated that a key aspect of collective efficacy is
the group member's perceptions of the group's coordinative capabilities.
Consequently, only interactive team sports (e.g. rugby) were used
in this study, because the emphasis on coordinative capabilities
and team work is greatest in these sports compared with co-active
teams (e.g. a golf team). Following approval from the team management,
the athletes were approached and asked to volunteer for a study
examining which types of imagery they used for their sport. The
exact nature of the study was withheld to prevent any response bias
that might occur. All participants were assured that their participation
was entirely voluntary and told they could withdraw from the study
at anytime. During a mid-season team training session, volunteers
were given the pack of questionnaires, which also included a demographic
assessment sheet. Participants were told to carefully read the instructions
at the beginning of each questionnaire and to take their time to
ensure they completed them accurately. To protect against socially
desirable responses, participants were assured that there were no
right or wrong answers to any of the questions and that their responses
would remain confidential. The team members were also asked not
to confer while completing the questionnaires, which was monitored
by a member of the research team. Following completion of the scales,
the participants were debriefed about the true nature of the study
and thanked for their involvement. The entire procedure lasted approximately
fifteen minutes on average.
Data
analysis
Data analysis occurred in four stages. First, we screened the entire
sample of elite and non elite data points for the assumptions of
univariate and multivariate normality. Second, in order to account
for the potential covariates, a between groups ANCOVA was conducted
on collective efficacy scores, with skill level as the between
subjects factor and sport type and age of participants
as potential covariates. Following this, the data were split into
the elite and non elite sub-samples and screened again for normality
and adjusted accordingly. Finally, a multiple hierarchical regression
was used to examine which of the four SIQ variables were predictive
of mean collective efficacy scores in both the elite and non elite
samples. Based on our hypothesis that MG- M and CG imagery would
predict the greatest amount of variance in both the elite and non
elite sample, the SIQ variables were entered into the regression
model in the following order; MG-M, CG, with MS and CS together.
This analysis was used to specifically test the hypothesis that
MG-M imagery would account for the largest amount of variance and
this would be highest in the elite sample.
|
| RESULTS |
|
Preliminary
analysis
Both the elite and non elite samples were examined for the assumptions
of multivariate normality. Tabachnick and Fidell (2001)
suggest that Mahalanobis distances are used to indicate multivariate
outliers with a criterion level of p < 0. 001. Therefore, with
4 predictor variables in both samples, the criterion of χ2
= 18.467 was used to indicate multiple outliers. For the elite sample
no outliers were identified, however for the non elite sample one
case had a value greater than 18.467 and this outlier was deleted
leaving 70 cases for analysis. Further screening of both the elite
and non elite responses revealed that a number of the variables
were non-normal. Specifically, in the elite group, the total CEI
scores (z = -2.35) and the mean MG-M scores (z = -3.46) were both
moderately negatively skewed. In the non elite group, the total
CEI scores (z = -3.37) and the mean imagery scores for CG (z = -
2.32) and CS (z = - 2.65) were moderately negatively skewed, while
MG-M imagery scores (z = -4.38) exhibited a more substantial negative
skew. Following the recommendations of Tabachnick and Fiddell (2001),
before running the multiple regression for the elite group we inversed
and squared the total CEI scores and the mean MG-M scores. For the
low level sample, we inversed and squared the CEI scores and the
mean CG, CS, and MG-M imagery scores. The test revealed that all
variables displayed normal distribution, with the exception of MG-M
in the sub-elite sample, which was positively skewed. The original
MG-M means scores were subsequently transformed again [inversed
and logged (LG10)] and this corrected the skewness.
Collective
efficacy across skill level and sport type
An ANCOVA, with level as the between subject factor and sport
and age as potential covariates, was used to examine differences
in collective efficacy scores (Table 1). A significant difference for CEI scores was observed
between elite and non elite athletes [F (1, 127) = 23.51,
p < .001; η2 = 0.156]. This difference was expected, as
teams that compete at an elite level may have more performance accomplishments
experiences; an antecedent of self-efficacy beliefs (Bandura, 1997).
However, as the two samples were analyzed independently of each
other, these differences do not impact upon the regression analysis.
For the covariates, neither Sport played [F (1, 127) = 2.50, p >
0.05; η2 = .117] or age of participants [F (1, 127) = 3.61, p >
0.05; η2 = .028] significantly effected collective efficacy scores.
Imagery
functions as predictors of collective efficacy Multi-collinearity
within a regression model increases the chances
that a good predictor will be found non significant (Field, 2005).
Both Belsey et al., 1980
and Field, 2005
provide criteria that indicate whether multicollinearity is a problem
within the regression model. Specifically, there is a problem when
a predictor variable displays a condition index of > 30 and contributes
more than 50% of the variance to two or more of the other predictor
variables. For the elite sample, when CS was added to the regression
equation it returned a condition index of 31. 5. However, it did
not contribute more than 50% to two or more of the other predictor
variable. As such, all four original predictor variables were included
in the regression model. The results of the hierarchical regression
analysis for the elite sample suggested that only MG-M imagery explained
a significant proportion of the variance in collective efficacy
scores (R2 = .172, F (1, 68) = 14.08, p < 0.01). This indicated
that the MG-M imagery function accounted for approximately 17% of
collective efficacy scores in the elite athlete sample (Table 2).
In the sub-elite sample, all the collinearity diagnostics fell within
the acceptable limits (Belsey et al., 1980;
Field, 2005)
and therefore all the predictor variables were included in the regression
model. The results at step one (MG-M entered : R2 = .039,
F(1, 68) = 2.74, p > 0.05), step two (MG-M and CG entered:
R2 = .061, F(1, 67) = 1.62, p > 0.05), and
step three (MG-M, CG, MS, and CS entered: R2 = .074, F(2,
65) =.430, p > 0.05) indicated that none of the SIQ variables
were predictive of collective efficacy (Table
3).
|
| DISCUSSION |
|
The
main aim of this study was to examine if specific individual imagery
functions were predictive of individual collective efficacy perceptions
in two separate samples of elite and non elite team athletes respectively.
The results from the regression analysis provide partial support
for the original hypothesis that MG-M and CG imagery would significantly
predict collective efficacy scores. Specifically, the hierarchical
regression analysis for the elite performers indicated that the
MG-M imagery explained approximately 17% of the variance in individual
collective efficacy scores. The amount of variance explained in
this instance is comparable to the variance found in similar regression
studies using the sub-scales of the SIQ as predictor variables of
self-confidence and cohesion (e.g. Callow and Hardy, 2001;
Hardy et al., 2003).
Furthermore, given that many other possible collective efficacy
predictors, such as mastery experiences, self-efficacy, and cohesion
(Carron and Hausenblas, 1998)
were not considered in this instance, the variance explained would
appear reasonable. Therefore, our findings for the elite-level athletes
suggest that those who use more MG-M imagery also have greater individual
collective efficacy perceptions.
It has been suggested that MG-M imagery provides performance accomplishment
information to enhance efficacy expectations (Callow and Hardy,
2001).
The increase in individual efficacy expectations through imagery
may also increase individual perceptions of collective efficacy.
Elite athletes will have a greater number of performance accomplishment
experiences and as such will find it easier to generate relevant
MG-M imagery. In contrast to our hypothesis, CG imagery did not
significantly predict any of the variance in collective efficacy
scores in the elite sample. One explanation for this is that CG
items are operationalized in a very different way to those of the
MG-M items. Specifically, the CG items reflect rehearsal of strategies
and plays and are almost entirely devoid of emotional content. For
example, "I imagine each section of an event/game".
Therefore, any link with collective efficacy is indirect and merely
as a consequence of the rehearsal afforded by that imagery type.
In comparison, MG-M items directly reflect emotion in their construction.
For example, "I imagine myself being mentally tough".
Therefore, the primary impact of imagery with MG-M content is more
likely to occur at an emotional level and as such more closely predict
collective efficacy. Furthermore, although CG imagery theoretically
allows for the rehearsal of strategic plays, we believe it is only
likely to predict collective efficacy if the imagery has some level
of team content. This is only likely to happen if the individuals
are specifically instructed to do so by the practitioner supervising
the intervention. However, in this instance we were only interested
in the extent to which individual imagery functions predicted individual
perceptions of collective efficacy.
In contrast to the elite performers, none of the SIQ variables significantly
predicted any of the variance in collective efficacy in the non
elite sample. Inspection of the mean SIQ scores indicated that the
non elite group used more CG, MS and CS imagery, but used less MG-
M imagery than the elite group. Therefore, despite similar imagery
function use scores, the results for the non elite sample suggest
that no one specific imagery function predicts collective efficacy
better than any other. This may
indicate that the use of imagery by non elite athletes is less structured
and focused than that used by elite athletes. Indeed, whereas elite
athletes may use specific types of imagery to help prepare for performance,
the use of imagery by non elite athletes might be less deliberate.
Unfortunately, while the SIQ measures the frequency of specific
imagery types it doesn't indicate whether these images are created
in controlled intentional imagery sessions, or occur more as inadvertent
cognitive processes.
Currently, very little is known about how or what team sport athletes'
image. However, it seems plausible that the content of their imagery
would portray both individual and team elements. Although the current
study demonstrated that the MG-M type imagery significantly predicts
collective efficacy in elite level athletes, the lack of any other
significant finding is probably because imagery with team content
was not considered. While the SIQ is the standard inventory used
to measure individual imagery functions in sport, it does not contain
any specific items that directly reflect team-based processes. Consequently,
future research might benefit from the development of an adapted
version of the SIQ that uses stems such as "I image myself
and my team...". An adapted version of the SIQ, with a
greater emphasis on the team would not only allow for a better understanding
of the relationship between collective efficacy and imagery with
team content but could also be used to examine relationships with
other team variables, such as cohesion.
At present, our understanding of how imagery can be used to increase
collective efficacy is limited. However, evidence suggests that
MG-M imagery increases self-efficacy (e.g. Jones et al., 2002;
Short et al., 2002),
and a close relationship has been established between self-efficacy
perceptions and individual perceptions of collective efficacy (Magyar
et al., 2004).
Although self-efficacy was not measured in our study, when considered
with the results of Munroe- Chandler and Hall, 2004,
we tentatively suggest that MG-M imagery which has an emphasis on
team content could be used to successfully increase individual perception
of collective efficacy. The nature and exact structure of such interventions
is as yet unclear. However, for non elite athletes it may be necessary
to direct them towards pertinent previous team experiences and memories
to stimulate the imagery process and to encourage a more intentional
imagery process.
The findings of the current study would appear fairly intuitive,
since MG-M imagery is the imagery function most often associated
with confidence/efficacy measures (Abma et al., 2002;
Callow and Hardy, 2001).
Currently however, little is known about the effects of individual
interventions on team-based variables such as collective efficacy.
Therefore, we suggest that future research should further test the
predictive relationship between imagery functions and individual
collective efficacy perceptions. Collective efficacy and self-efficacy
should also be measured concurrently to further support the reciprocal
relationship between the two constructs found in this study. Furthermore,
both nomothetic and ideographic longitudinal studies are needed
to investigate the effects of specific imagery functions on collective
efficacy. In addition to measuring the impact of imagery on the
individual perceptions of collective efficacy, research should also
consider how imagery impacts on the overall shared beliefs of the
team. A better understanding of these relationships will allow sport
psychologists to devise individual imagery interventions, which
aim to increase collective efficacy.
|
| CONCLUSION |
| The findings of this study suggest that MG-M imagery types predict
individual collective efficacy perceptions in elite level athletes.
In contrast, none of the imagery types measured by the SIQ predicted
individual imagery perceptions in non elite athletes. From an applied
perspective, the results tentatively indicate that MG-M type imagery
interventions could be used to successfully increase collective efficacy
perceptions. Potential mechanisms for the effectiveness of such interventions
may occur both directly or indirectly through changes in self-efficacy.
Further research is warranted to examine the relationship between
collective efficacy and specific imagery types, the effects of imagery
interventions on collective efficacy perceptions, and the subsequent
mechanisms of any associated changes in collective efficacy. |
| KEY
POINTS |
- As
imagery is an individual intervention, an examination of individual
perceptions of collective efficacy was most appropriate.
- Elite
athletes who use more MG-M imagery also have higher individual
perceptions of collective efficacy.
- For
non-elite athletes, none of the imagery functions tested predicted
individual perceptions of collective efficacy.
- Performance
accomplishments provided by MG-M imagery may increase individual
perceptions of collective efficacy.
- Future
research should investigate further the effects of imagery intervention
programmes on collective efficacy beliefs.
|
| AUTHORS
BIOGRAPHY |
David
A. SHEARER
Employment: Lecturer, Department of Sports Science, Swansea
University, United Kingdom.
Degree: MSc, BSc.
Research interests: Imagery use in sport, team dynamics.
E-mail: d.a.shearer@swansea.ac.uk |
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Rob
THOMSON
Employment: Senior Lecturer in Psychology, University of
East London.
Degree: PhD, BSc.Hons.
Research interests: Group processes in sports supporters,
online communities and in merging organizations.
E-mail: r.thomson@uel.ac.uk |
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Stephen
D. MELLALIEU
Employment: Lecturer, Department of Sports Science, Swansea
University, United Kingdom.
Degree: PhD.
Research interests: Competition and organizational stress
in sport, team dynamics.
E-mail: s.d.mellalieu@swan.ac.uk |
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Catherine
R SHEARER
Employment: Senior Sport Psychologist, Sports Council for
Wales, United Kingdom.
Degree: MSc, BSc.
Research interests: Applied sport psychology issues,
coping process in the sport environment. |
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