FOCUS OF ATTENTION
This area of research examines how the individual’s focus of attention affects the performance and learning of motor skills. In several studies, we have shown that instructions and feedback that direct the performer’s attention to the movement effect on the environment (e.g., an implement) (“external focus”) facilitate performance and learning compared to those that direct attention to the movements themselves (“internal focus”), or no attentional focus instructions (“control conditions”). We have evidence showing that the adoption of an external focus promotes the utilization of relatively automatic control processes – making performance more effective and efficient. These findings have important implications for practical settings, such as sport, music, and physical or occupational therapy.
Related publications:
Books:
Wulf, G. (in press). Aufmerksamkeit und motorisches Lernen (Attention and motor learning). München: Elsevier.
Wulf, G. (2007). Attention and motor skill learning. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Journal articles:
Wulf, G., & Dufek, J.S. (in press). Increased jump height with an external attentional focus is due to augmented force production. Journal of Motor Behavior.
Wulf, G., Landers, M., Lewthwaite, R., & Töllner, T. (in press). Postural instability in Parkinson's disease decreases with an external focus of attention. Physical Therapy.
Wulf, G., & Lewthwaite, R. (in press). Effortless motor learning? An external focus of attention enhances movement effectiveness and efficiency. In B. Bruya (Ed.), Effortless Attention: A New Perspective in the Cognitive Science of Attention and Action. Cambridge, MA:MIT Press.
Wulf, G. (2008). Attentional focus effects in balance acrobats. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 79, 319-325.
Wulf, G., & Mornell, A. (2008) Demystifying the practice of practice: Motor learning research and its ramifications for the training of musicians. Music Performance Research, 2. Retrieved October, 2008, from http://www.mpr-online.net/
Freedman, S.E., Maas, E., Caligiuri, M.P., Wulf, G., & Robin, D.A. (2007). Internal vs. external: Oral-motor performance as a function of attentional focus. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Science, 50, 131-136.
Wulf, G. (2007). Attentional focus and motor learning: A review of 10 years of research (Target article). E-Journal Bewegung und Training, 1-11. Retrieved October 16, 2008, from http://www.ejournal-but.de/doks/wulf_2007.pdf
Methods, findings, explanations, and future directions: Response to commentaries on “Attentional focus and motor learning”. E-Journal Bewegung und Training, 57-64. Retrieved October 16, 2008, from http://www.ejournal-but.de/doks/wulf_2007.pdf
Wulf, G., & Su, J. (2007). An external focus of attention enhances golf shot accuracy in beginners and experts. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 78, 384-389.
Wulf, G., Töllner, T., & Shea (2007). Attentional focus effects as a function of task complexity. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 78, 257-264.
Wulf, G., Zachry, T., Granados, C., & Dufek, J.S. (2007). Increases in jump-and-reach height through an external focus of attention. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 2, 275-284.
Landers, M., Wulf, G., Wallmann, H., & Guadagnoli, M.A. (2005). An external focus of attention attenuates balance impairment in Parkinson’s disease. Physiotherapy, 91, 152-185.
Wulf, G. (2005). Movement efficiency and attentional focus. International Journal of Fitness, 1, 25-29.
Zachry, T., Wulf, G., Mercer, J., & Bezodis, N. (2005). Increased movement accuracy and reduced EMG activity as the result of adopting an external focus of attention. Brain Research Bulletin, 67, 304-309.
Vance, J., Wulf, G., Töllner, T., McNevin, N.H., & Mercer, J. (2004). EMG activity as a function of the performer’s focus of attention. Journal of Motor Behavior, 36, 450-459.
Wulf, G., & McNevin, N.H. (2003). Simply distracting learners is not enough: More evidence for the learning benefits of an external focus of attention. European Journal of Sport Science, 3 (5).
Wulf, G., Mercer, J., McNevin, N.H., & Guadagnoli, M.A. (2004). Reciprocal influences of attentional focus on postural and supra-postural task performance. Journal of Motor Behavior, 36, 189-199.
Totsika, V., & Wulf, G. (2003). An external focus of attention enhances transfer to novel situations and skills. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 74, 220-225.
Wulf, G., Weigelt, M., Poulter, D.R., & McNevin, N.H. (2003). Attentional focus on supra-postural tasks affects balance learning. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 56, 1191-1211.
Wulf, G., Wächter, S., & Wortmann, S. (2003). Attentional focus in motor skill learning: Do females benefit from an external focus? Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal, 12, 37-52.
McNevin, N.H., Shea, C.H., & Wulf, G. (2003). Increasing the distance of an external focus of attention enhances learning. Psychological Research, 67, 22-29.
McNevin, N.H., & Wulf, G. (2002). Attentional focus on supra-postural tasks affects postural control. Human Movement Science, 21, 187-202.
Wulf, G., McConnel, N., Gärtner, M, & Schwarz, A. (2002). Feedback and attentional focus: Enhancing the learning of sport skills through external-focus feedback. Journal of Motor Behavior, 34, 171-182.
Wulf, G., McNevin, N.H., & Shea, C.H. (2001). The automaticity of complex motor skill learning as a function of attentional focus. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 54A, 1143-1154.
Wulf, G., Shea, C.H., & Park, J.-H. (2001). Attention in motor learning: Preferences for and advantages of an external focus. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 72, 335-344.
Wulf, G., & Prinz, W. (2001). Directing attention to movement effects enhances learning: A review. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 8, 648-660.
McNevin, N.H., Wulf, G., & Carlson, C. (2001). Come accrescere l'efficacia delle tecniche riabilitative, Il fisioterapista, 7, n. 4.
Wulf, G., McNevin, N.H., Fuchs, T., Ritter, F., & Toole, T. (2000). Attentional focus in complex motor skill learning. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 71, 229-239.
Wulf, G., & Prinz, W. (2000). Bewegungslernen und Instruktionen – Zur Effektivität ausführungs- vs. effektbezogener Aufmerksamkeitsfokussierungen. Sportwissenschaft, 30, 289-297.
McNevin, N.H., Wulf, G., & Carlson, C. (2000). Effects of attentional focus, self-control, and dyad training effects on motor learning: Implications for physical rehabilitation. Physical Therapy, 80, 373-385.
Wulf, G., Lauterbach, B., & Toole, T. (1999). Learning advantages of an external focus of attention in golf. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 70, 120-126.
Shea, C.H., & Wulf, G. (1999). Enhancing motor learning through external-focus instructions and feedback. Human Movement Science, 18, 553-571.
Wulf, G. (1998). Bewußte Kontrolle stört Bewegungslernen. Spektrum der Wissenschaft, April, (4), 16-22.
Wulf, G., Höß, M., & Prinz, W. (1998). Instructions for motor learning: Differential effects of internal versus external focus of attention. Journal of Motor Beh
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