THE EFFECT OF IMAGERY ON SELF-EFFICACY FOR A MOTOR SKILL

A multiple-baseline-across-subjects design was used to investigate the effect of mental imagery training on the magnitude of individuals' se lf-efficacy for a dart throwing task. Six (n = 6) subjects were admini stered a 15-session mental imagery training program following baseline sessions of varying lengths. Each imagery session included a relaxati on component, followed by specific imagery training. Subjects were the n asked to stand, perform a one minute centering exercise, and to imag e successful performance of the task. This war immediately followed by the completion of a self-efficacy and imagery rating scale, and actua l performance of the task while blindfolded. Two subjects showed that their self-efficacy magnitude for the task had increased as a result o f the imagery training. All subjects reported an improvement in their overall ability to image the task as a result of the intervention. It was concluded that imagery was able to enhance self-efficacy magnitude for the dart throwing task in subjects who were high ability imagers, had previous experience at throwing darts, believed in the performanc e-enhancing capabilities of mental imagery training, and had been expo sed to relaxation and imagery procedures prior to the study.