Cognitive imagery involves mentally rehearsing sport skills, techniques, routines or strategies. Motivational imagery involves imagining goals, success, confidence or emotional states to increase motivation and regulate arousal.
The Reasoning
In C.5.2 Imagery (HL), imagery is the creation or recreation of a multisensory experience in the mind without the relevant external stimuli being present. The distinction depends on the function that the imagery serves.
Cognitive imagery supports the learning, preparation and execution of movements or tactical plans. For example, a basketball player may imagine the correct sequence of movements in a free throw or visualize how to respond to a zone defence.
Motivational imagery influences an athlete's goals, confidence, persistence and emotional state. For example, a runner might imagine crossing the finish line, remaining confident under pressure or feeling energized before a race.
| Type | Function | Sporting example |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive specific | Rehearses a particular skill | Imagining the phases of a tennis serve |
| Cognitive general | Rehearses strategies, routines or game plans | Imagining a football team's planned counterattack |
| Motivational specific | Represents a particular goal or outcome | Imagining winning a medal |
| Motivational general-mastery | Develops confidence, control and mental toughness | Imagining coping successfully after making an error |
| Motivational general-arousal | Regulates excitement, stress or anxiety | Imagining feeling calm before a penalty kick |
A common misconception is that cognitive imagery uses only visual information while motivational imagery uses emotions. Both can be multisensory, involving sight, sound, touch and kinaesthetic sensations. Their classification is determined by their purpose, not the senses used. Similarly, internal and external imagery perspectives are separate from the cognitive-motivational distinction.
Exam Technique
For a command term such as distinguish, state both functions and provide contrasting sport-specific examples. Do not write only that cognitive imagery involves “thinking” and motivational imagery involves “motivation”; identify skills or strategies for cognitive imagery and goals, confidence or arousal for motivational imagery.