An example of a narrow-external type of attentional focus is

Question

An example of a narrow-external type of attentional focus is

Select one:

a. a golfer imagining a chip shot before stiking the ball

b. a coach analyzing the game plan prior to the start of the competition

c. a baseball pitcher focusing on the catcher's mitt just before beginning his pitch

d. a wrestler practicing mental imagery on the bus ride to a meet

e. a tennis player focusing on who is in the crowd and all of the people watching the match

Answer 1

The best answer choice is c. a baseball pitcher focusing on the catcher’s mitt just before beginning his pitch.

What “narrow-external” means

In Nideffer’s attentional model, “narrow” means attention is tightly focused on one or two cues, and “external” means those cues are outside the body (in the environment). A narrow-external focus is used when an athlete is locking in on a specific external target to execute an action, such as a single object or small area.​

Why the pitcher example fits

The pitcher looking only at the catcher’s mitt is concentrating on one small, external target right before acting, which is a classic example of narrow-external focus. The other options mostly involve internal thoughts or broad awareness (imagery, planning, or noticing the whole crowd), so they do not match the “narrow-external” definition as closely as the pitcher’s focus on the mitt.