scholarly journals An Examination of Ironic Effects in Air-Pistol Shooting under Pressure

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 20
Author(s):  
Recep Gorgulu
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
High Anxiety ◽  
Mental Control ◽  
Specific Direction ◽  
Ironic Processes ◽  
Specific Support ◽  
Performance Errors ◽  
Practical Instruction ◽  
Ironic Effects

This study aimed to test the incidence of ironic performance errors in elite air-pistol shooters. Previous research has revealed that, when shooters are anxious, avoidant instructions can cause ironic performance breakdown, especially in the unintended direction. Fifty-seven experienced air-pistol shooters were given specific instructions not to shoot to a certain part of a target, under low- and high-anxiety conditions, respectively. Results demonstrated that, when instructed not to shoot in a specific direction, anxious shooters did so a significant number of times. Interestingly, there was no difference in non-target non-ironic error, which provides specific support for Wegner’s theory of ironic processes of mental control in air-pistol shooting. Consequently, these findings illustrated that the combination of increased anxiety with avoidant instructions could lead to such unintended performance errors, called ironic error. Thus, understanding the mechanism of the anxiety-performance relationship may be a useful theoretical framework which could provide practical, instruction-based interventions to reduce susceptibility to ironic errors under pressure.

scholarly journals Don’t Miss, Don’t Miss, D’oh! Performance When Anxious Suffers Specifically Where Least Desired

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 213-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim Woodman ◽  
Matthew Barlow ◽  
Recep Gorgulu
Keyword(s):  
Mental Control ◽  
Significant Limitation ◽  
Specific Direction ◽  
Ironic Processes ◽  
Specific Support ◽  
Dart Throwing ◽  
Performance Error ◽  
Performance Setting ◽  
Ironic Effects ◽  
A Performance

We present two novel tests of Wegner’s (1994) theory of ironic processes of mental control using a hockey penalty-shooting task (Study 1) and a dart throwing task (Study 2). In Study 1 we aimed to address a significant limitation of ironic effects research in a performance setting by differentiating nonironic performance error from specifically ironic performance error. When instructed not to miss in a specific direction, anxious performers did so a significantly greater number of times; importantly, there was no difference in nonironic error, which provides the first specific support for Wegner’s theory in a performance setting. In Study 2, we present the first examination of the precision of ironic errors. When anxious, participants performed not only more ironically but also performed more precisely in the to-be-avoided zone than when they were not anxious. We discuss the results in the context of the importance of specific instructions in coaching environments.

scholarly journals Ironic or Overcompensation Effects of Motor Behaviour: An Examination of a Tennis Serving Task Under Pressure

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Recep Gorgulu
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Motor Behaviour ◽  
Mental Control ◽  
Tennis Players ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Paired Samples ◽  
Specific Direction ◽  
Ironic Processes ◽  
The Individual

With specific regard to the hypothesized effects of anxiety on performance in motor behaviour, the rival predictions emanating from the Wegner’s “ironic processes theory” and the “implicit overcompensation hypothesis” are largely indiscriminate. Specifically, Wegner’s theory predicts that self-instructions not to perform in a certain manner would lead to the very behaviour the individual seeks to avoid under pressure. On the other hand, the implicit overcompensation hypothesis predicts that avoidant instructions would produce the opposite outcome to that intended by the performer under pressure. The present novel study directly compared these predictions using a tennis serving task under manipulated instructions. The sample comprised 32 (20 men, 12 women; Mage = 20.81, SD = 2.20) experienced tennis players who performed a tennis serving task. Participants’ levels of cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety and self-confidence were measured by using Mental Readiness Form-3. A 2 (anxiety: low, high) × 3 (serving zone: target zone, non-target ironic error zone, non-target non-ironic error zone) repeated measures of ANOVA revealed a significant anxiety × serving zone interaction F(2, 62) = 32.27, p < 0.001 which provides specific support for the Wegner’s ironic processes of mental control theory rather than implicit overcompensation hypothesis. More specifically, Bonferroni-corrected follow-up paired samples t-tests revealed that when instructed not to serve in a specific direction, anxious performers did so a significantly greater number of times (t31 = −5.15, p < 0.001). The present research demonstrates that ironic performance errors are a meaningful and robust potential concern for performers who are required to perform under pressure.

Do Not Pay Any Attention to the Umpires: Thought Suppression and Task-Relevant Focusing Strategies

2002 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 306-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy R. Dugdale ◽  
Robert C. Eklund
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Load ◽  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Thought Suppression ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Mental Control ◽  
Processing Theory ◽  
Negative Thoughts ◽  
Australian Rules Football ◽  
Ironic Effects ◽  
And Task

Two studies grounded in ironic-cognitive-processing theory were conducted to determine (a) whether ironic errors may be associated with efforts to exert mental control that typically occur in sport settings and (b) whether these potential ironic effects could be negated through the use of a task-relevant cue word to refocus one’s thoughts during suppression. Participants were asked to watch a videotape of a series of clips of Australian Rules Football players, coaches, and umpires. Study 1 revealed that participants were more aware of umpires when instructed not to pay attention to them. Contrary to expectations, however, ironic effects were not significantly magnified by the combination of high cognitive load and the instruction not to pay attention to the umpires. Results from Study 2 indicated that potential ironic effects could be negated when individuals were given a task-relevant cue word to focus on when suppressing unwanted or negative thoughts. Overall, support for ironic processing theory was found in Studies 1 and 2 in this investigation.

scholarly journals Ironic and Reinvestment Effects in Baseball Pitching: How Information About an Opponent Can Influence Performance Under Pressure

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rob Gray ◽  
Anders Orn ◽  
Tim Woodman
Keyword(s):  
The Other ◽  
Ironic Processes ◽  
Performance Errors ◽  
Conscious Processing ◽  
Performance Under Pressure

Are pressure-induced performance errors in experts associated with novice-like skill execution (as predicted by reinvestment/conscious processing theories) or expert execution toward a result that the performer typically intends to avoid (as predicted by ironic processes theory)? The present study directly compared these predictions using a baseball pitching task with two groups of experienced pitchers. One group was shown only their target, while the other group was shown the target and an ironic (avoid) zone. Both groups demonstrated significantly fewer target hits under pressure. For the target-only group, this was accompanied by significant changes in expertise-related kinematic variables. In the ironic group, the number of pitches thrown in the ironic zone was significantly higher under pressure, and there were no significant changes in kinematics. These results suggest that information about an opponent can influence the mechanisms underlying pressure-induced performance errors.

When the Antidote is the Poison: Ironic Mental Control Processes

1997 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 148-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel M. Wegner
Keyword(s):  
Mental States ◽  
Mental Load ◽  
Mental Control ◽  
Operating Process ◽  
Monitoring Process ◽  
Ironic Processes ◽  
State Of Mind ◽  
Automatic Search ◽  
Time Urgency ◽  
Mental Contents

The theory of ironic processes of mental control holds that both the most and the least desired effects of attempts to control one's own mental states accrue from two processes an intentional operating process (a conscious, effortful search for mental contents that will produce a desired state of mind) and an ironic monitoring process (an unconscious, automatic search for mental contents that signal a failure to produce the desired state of mind) Although the monitoring process usually functions just to activate the operating process, during stress, distraction, time urgency, or other mental load, the monitor's effects on mind can supersede those of the operator, producing the very state of mind that is least desired An individual's attempts to gain mental control may thus precipitate the unwanted mental states they were intended to remedy

Ironic processes in the mental control of mood and mood-related thought.

1993 ◽  
Vol 65 (6) ◽  
pp. 1093-1104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel M. Wegner ◽  
Ralph Erber ◽  
Sophia Zanakos
Keyword(s):  
Mental Control ◽  
Ironic Processes

Depression and the Ironic Effects of Thought Suppression: Therapeutic Strategies for Improving Mental Control

2006 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher G. Beevers ◽  
Richard M. Wenzlaff ◽  
Adele M. Hayes ◽  
Walter D. Scott
Keyword(s):  
Thought Suppression ◽  
Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
Mental Control ◽  
Ironic Effects

Ironic processes of mental control.

1994 ◽  
Vol 101 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel M. Wegner
Keyword(s):  
Mental Control ◽  
Ironic Processes

scholarly journals The Putt and the Pendulum: Ironic Effects of the Mental Control of Action

1998 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 196-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel M. Wegner ◽  
Matthew Ansfield ◽  
Daniel Pilloff
Keyword(s):  
Physical Load ◽  
Golf Ball ◽  
Mental Load ◽  
Mental Control ◽  
Monitoring Process ◽  
Ironic Effects ◽  
Undesirable Outcome ◽  
Do So

People sometimes find themselves making movement errors that represent the ironic opposite of what they intended to do. These studies examined this tendency in the case of putting a golf ball and swinging a handheld pendulum, and found that ironic errors were particularly likely when participants who were instructed to avoid them tried to do so under mental load or physical load. The idea that such errors may be prompted by a monitoring process that increases sensitivity to the most undesirable outcome of an intention was supported by the finding of a tendency for ironic errors to be more evident when participants were allowed to monitor their action visually than when they could not.

scholarly journals The Effects of Avoiding Instructions Under Pressure: An Examination of the Volleyball Serving Task

2021 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 239-249
Author(s):  
Recep Gorgulu ◽  
Eslem Gokcek
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
The Self ◽  
Target Zone ◽  
Repeated Measures Anova ◽  
Ironic Processes ◽  
Performance Error ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
Practical Instruction

Abstract Wegner predicts that under pressure self-avoiding instructions not to perform in a certain manner will break down precisely where it is least desired that is the hypothesis of the present study. Specifically, the aim was to test the hypothesis that when instructed not to serve into a certain zone, ironic error would be more prevalent under pressure. Our sample comprised 43 female participants between the age of 13 and 16 (Mage = 14.51, SD = 1.35) who were active volleyball players (Mtraining years = 5.40, SD = 2.38). We measured the participants’ psychophysiological indications of anxiety via the heart rate, heart rate variability as well as the self-reported Mental Readiness Form-3. To measure performance, we counted the number of target and non-target serving zones under different anxiety conditions. Participants scored +5 points for serving into the target zone, scored -5 points for serving to the out or hitting the net and 1 point for serving into the court except the target zone. A 2 (anxiety) × 3 (serving zone) fully repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant anxiety x serving zone interaction F (2, 84) = 36.52, p < .001. When instructed not to serve in a certain zone, players’ overall performance did not change across anxiety conditions t (42) = .68, p =.50. Results did not provide support for the Wegner’s theory as expected, but instead revealed evidence for the Woodman et al.’s (2015) differentiation of ironic performance error. The results demonstrate that the theory of ironic processes may account for practical instruction-based solution for reducing the susceptibility to ironic errors in the serving type of task in volleyball.

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