The research has shown that using imagery helps in the comprehension process of stories. Children with specific language impairment (SLI) lack of the ability of recollections of facts from stories they read or they are being told, which hinders their ability of comprehension (Bishop and Adams 1992, Norbury and Bishop 2002, Botting and Adams 2005, in Joffe et. al., 2007). The proper mechanism of comprehension of a story requires the listener/reader to remember and associate the details in the story. This can be achieved through the creation of conclusions by either put together pieces of the story or using common sense to link the details of the story (Kintsch and Rawson 2005, in Joffe et. al., 2007). There are several theories trying to explain the relationship between memory and mental imagery, and the process of comprehension (Joffe et. al., 2007). One of them is the dual-coding theory which relates the verbal and non-verbal systems interaction where “language can evoke imagery, and imagery can evoke language” (Sadoski et al.1991, in Joffe et. al., 2007). This is a very important statement that supports some psychological approaches in sport such as self talk, verbal cues, thought stoppage, and many more (Williams, 2010).
This research used nine children with a mean age of 9.6 years old.
The training took 3 weeks long, and consisted of 5 meeting of 30 minutes of duration. Children were introduced to imagery with an explanation that they will be ‘thinking in pictures,’ then they began with activities where pictures were shown to them, and then children were asked to see those pictures in their minds (Joffe et. al., 2007). The research showed an improvement in comprehension skills by the participants. As Joffe et. al., said “good comprehension skills are crucial to academic success” (2007). I’m glad to learn that imagery is one of the tools that can be used to help making the learning process an easy and enjoyable activity.
There are several studies out there that support the multiple uses of imagery. Imagery continues to prove to help in the process of rehabilitation, and rehabilitation covers a lot of physical and/or mental specific needs. I believe it is important to learn other benefits of imagery because it will help to understand the importance of learning and practicing it not only for sports performance purposes but as an important tool for life!
Sources:
Joffe, Victoria L.;Cain, Kate; Maric, Natasa International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders; Comprehension problems in children with specific language impairment: does mental imagery training help?Nov/Dec2007, Vol. 42 Issue 6, p648-664
Williams, J.M., Applied Sport Psychology, personal growth to peak performance, sixth edition 2010
The training took 3 weeks long, and consisted of 5 meeting of 30 minutes of duration. Children were introduced to imagery with an explanation that they will be ‘thinking in pictures,’ then they began with activities where pictures were shown to them, and then children were asked to see those pictures in their minds (Joffe et. al., 2007). The research showed an improvement in comprehension skills by the participants. As Joffe et. al., said “good comprehension skills are crucial to academic success” (2007). I’m glad to learn that imagery is one of the tools that can be used to help making the learning process an easy and enjoyable activity.
There are several studies out there that support the multiple uses of imagery. Imagery continues to prove to help in the process of rehabilitation, and rehabilitation covers a lot of physical and/or mental specific needs. I believe it is important to learn other benefits of imagery because it will help to understand the importance of learning and practicing it not only for sports performance purposes but as an important tool for life!
Sources:
Joffe, Victoria L.;Cain, Kate; Maric, Natasa International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders; Comprehension problems in children with specific language impairment: does mental imagery training help?Nov/Dec2007, Vol. 42 Issue 6, p648-664
Williams, J.M., Applied Sport Psychology, personal growth to peak performance, sixth edition 2010
No comments:
Post a Comment