Stinson, Gillian (2009) The Perceived Benefits of Imagery in Sport: A Meta-Analysis. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
Research has shown that imagery used in the context of sport improves performance, and that most sports psychologists use imagery interventions in their work with athletes. The aim of this study was to investigate the perceived effects of imagery in sport as assessed by self–report measures, by conducting a meta-analysis on all available literature in the imagery-sport context. This study is distinct from previous meta-analyses by analysing data obtained through subjective measures rather than data obtained through objective measures, and also for accounting for effects associated with psychological states, injury and rehabilitation in addition to motor performance. The research was conducted across 30 studies that yielded 201 effect sizes and represented the endorsements of 3,604 participants. The overall weighted mean effect of .71 was significant, and demonstrated that the perceived effects of imagery in sport are of moderate to large benefit. All hypotheses were supported: gender moderated the effect, with females indicating a very large effect (d = 1.17), and males indicating a large effect (d = .81); age moderated the effect, with collegiate age benefitting the most (d = 1.13); and the experience level of the athlete moderated the effect, with participants of intermediate experience indicating the most benefit (d = .82). The findings of the present research can be combined with previous meta-analyses, thus providing both objective and subjective analyses of imagery in sport. This empirical support for imagery would further assist the design and implementation of imagery interventions to benefit athletes, sports psychologists and practitioners across varying sports. Further research that provides understanding of how males and females differ in their perceived effects of imagery could benefit the design and implementation of future interventions.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Sciences - Department of Psychology (Up to 30 Jun 2013) |
| Supervisors: | Terry, Peter |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Psychology) |
| Date Deposited: | 16 Mar 2026 02:17 |
| Last Modified: | 16 Mar 2026 02:17 |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52788 |
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