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Abstract

We examined a possible connection between the visual perceptual cognitive ability of field dependence/independence and concentration, two variables relevant to performance of skills required in basketball. Subjects were men aged 23 to 34 yr., of whom 21 were national level basketball players, 24 lower-league basketball players, and 18 nonathletic students. All were given two pencil-and-paper tests: the Group Embedded Figures Test of Witkin to test field dependence/independence; and the d2 test of Brickenkamp to test concentration. The field-dependent visual perceptual cognitive ability characterizes elite basketball players of the national level as opposed to the other two groups, who were field-independent. A statistically significant difference was found between the quality of concentration of national-level players and students who are not athletes. The difference was not substantial between the elite and amateur players. Low or low to medium correlations were found between field-dependence/independence and concentration among all the groups tested.

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Field Dependence/Independence and Concentration as Psychological Characteristics of Basketball Players

Abstract

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References