IMAGERY USE BY ATHLETES - DEVELOPMENT OF THE SPORT IMAGERY QUESTIONNAIRE

The Spouts Imagery Questionnaire (SIO) was developed to assess the mot ivational and cognitive functions of imagery proposed by Paivio's Anal ytic Framework of Imagery Effects (1985). The present article reports three experiments designed to validate the content and construct prope rties of the SIQ. Initially, items were developed through a thorough l iterature review, other imagery questionnaires, and the expert evaluat ions of research professionals and elite athletes. In Experiments 1 an d 2, the items on the SIO were found to separate into distinct factors . These factors corresponded well with the functions of imagery propos ed by Paivio. Experiment 3 was designed to assess construct and predic tive validity in a sample of 271 athletes competing in individual and team sports. Again results revealed the existence of five distinct fac tors corresponding with the motivational and cognitive functions of im agery proposed Predictive validity of the SIQ was supported in that gr eater imagery use was associated with successful performance. Finally, differences between individual and team sport athletes were observed with respect to the functions of imagery use. Overall the results of t hese experiments indicate that the SIQ may be a useful tool for helpin g understand how athletes use different types imagery.