Reflective and prereflective bodily awareness in skilled action.

Toner, John; Montero, Barbara Gail; Moran, Aidan

Abstract

A number of influential theories of skill acquisition posit that the performing body is an absent presence during “habitualized” action. The current article counters this claim by drawing on a wide range of empirical and phenomenological evidence to argue that the body is never forgotten during skilled movement. We draw on Colombetti’s (2011) taxonomy of the bodily self to show how skilled performers may experience either a reflective or prereflective mode of bodily awareness depending on the foci of attention adopted during online skill execution. We argue that it is the dynamic interplay of these latter forms of bodily awareness that facilitates optimal performance and allows skilled performers to confront the challenges (e.g., injury, performance slumps) that are a ubiquitous feature of competitive environments.

Citation

Toner, J., Montero, B. G., & Moran, A. (2016). Reflective and prereflective bodily awareness in skilled action. Psychology of consciousness theory, research, and practice, 3(4), 303-315. https://doi.org/10.1037/cns0000090

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 15, 2016
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Deposit Date: Jun 19, 2019
• Journal: Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice
• Print ISSN: 2326-5523
• Electronic ISSN: 2326-5531
• Publisher: American Psychological Association
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 3
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 303-315
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/cns0000090
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/2012842
• Publisher URL: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2016-23903-001