The role of psychological characteristics in facilitating the pathway to elite performance. Part 2: Examining environmental and stage-related differences in skills and behaviors

MacNamara, Button, & Collins (under review) proposed that if individuals are to fulfill their potential they must possess and systematically develop a specific set of skills (termed Psychological Characteristics of Developing Excellence or PCDEs) that allow them to interact effectively with the developmental opportunities they are afforded. Given the complexity of the developmental pathway, it may well be that different skills are needed at different stages of development and across different performance domains. Twenty-four elite participants from team sports, individual sports, and music were purposefully sampled from different domains and interviewed on their experiences of their own pathways to excellence. Results suggested that although PCDEs were important throughout development, the manner by which they were deployed depended on stage, domain, and the characteristics of the individual performer. These findings support proposals to systematically incorporate PCDEs into TID practices because these may be the key feature in maintaining progress toward excellence

The role of psychological characteristics in facilitating the pathway to elite performance. Part 1: Identifying mental skills and behaviours

Given the complexity of the talent development process, it seems likely that a range of psychological factors underpin an athlete’s ability to translate potential into top-class performance. Therefore, the purpose of part one of this two-part investigation was to explore the attributes that facilitate the successful development of athletes from initial involvement to achieving and maintaining world-class status. Seven elite athletes and a parent of each of these athletes were interviewed regarding their own (their son’s/ daughter’s) development in sport. Data were content analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Although sporting achievement was conceptualized as being multidimensional, psychological factors were highlighted as the key determinants of those who emerged as talented and maintained excellence. Accordingly, we suggest that talent identification and development programs should place greater emphasis on the advancement and application of psychological behaviors at an early stage to optimize both the development and performance of athletes

Polarization switching and induced birefringence in InGaAsP multiple quantum wells at 1.5 mu m

We analyze the 1.5mum wavelength operation of a room temperature polarization switch based on electron spin dynamics in InGaAsP multiple quantum wells. An unexpected difference in response for left and right circularly polarized pump light in pump-probe measurements was discovered and determined to be caused by an excess carrier induced birefringence. Transient polarization rotation and ellipticity were measured as a function of time delay. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics.</p

Development of a second generation prototype reflectometer for reflectance measurement in space Final technical report

Prototype reflectometer development for reflection measurements in spac

Early spraying esential for webworm control

Results of trials conducted during the last two seasons have emphasised the need for very early treatment of webworm infested crops. Where heavy infestations occur every effort should be made to apply treatments during the first fortnight after crop emergenc

Insect pests and their control - Root maggot flies

The family of insects to which the root maggot flies belong contains a number of species of economic importance. Some attack cabbages, some beans and peas, and some onions. A number of species have become practically world wide in their distribution, and two, the bean root maggot fly and the onion fly, are troublesome in this State

The webworm. 1. The webworm in its natural environment

MANY farmers are concerned about the apparent increase in webworm numbers in recent years. It has been suggested that the problem is now more widespread and the outbreaks more regular than a few years ago

The webworm. 2. The biology of the webworm

A detailed knowledge of the seasonal history of an insect pest is essential for an understanding of the way in which it is affected by various management and cultural practices

The webworm. 3. Ecology : a report on some of the factors which regulate webworm numbers in the field

IN this section the webworm will be examined in its environment, and particular attention will be given to the more important factors which govern numbers and distribution of the insects