Document Type

Thesis

Publication Date

5-2019

Disciplines

Psychology

Advisor

Stephen Stelzner, Psychology

Abstract

Previous research has shown that mental imagery is beneficial for individuals in improving performance, increasing confidence, and decreasing anxiety, among many other benefits. The purpose of my research study was to test if mental imagery is successful in creating these benefits for college students while learning a new psychomotor skill. Participants were first introduced to an athletic taping skill by viewing a two-minute video. After the video, they completed five minutes of physical practice of the skill, took an anxiety and confidence inventory, and completed a pre-test of the skill during which they were timed and scored. They were then randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group listened to a guided imagery audio that guided them through the steps of the athletic taping skill, while the second group viewed a PowerPoint presentation that listed the steps of the athletic taping skill. Next, participants from both groups took the anxiety and confidence inventory again and completed a post test of the elbow taping skill during which they were timed and scored. I predicted that participants in the imagery group would have both greater decreases in anxiety scores and greater decreases in time to complete the skill than those in the PowerPoint group. I also predicted that those in the imagery group would have greater increases in self-confidence and performance scores than the Power Point group. The results of my study did not provide support for my original hypotheses. However, significant differences were found for cognitive anxiety levels between the genders.

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