Jay-Lee Longbottom

Publications (3)2.66 Total impact

• Article: Experienced golfers' perspectives on choking under pressure.

  Daniel F Gucciardi, Jay-Lee Longbottom, Ben Jackson, James A Dimmock
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  ABSTRACT: Although researchers have experimentally examined the mechanisms underlying pressure-induced forms of suboptimal performance, or "choking under pressure," there is a lack of research exploring the personal experience of this phenomenon. In an attempt to fill this void in the literature, this study explored experienced golfers' perceptions of the choking experience within a personal construct psychology (Kelly, 1955/1991) framework. Both male and female golfers participated in either a focus group (n = 12; all males) or one-on-one interview (n = 10; female = 7, male = 3) using experience cycle methodology (Oades & Viney, 2000) to describe their perceptions of the choking experience. Discussions were transcribed verbatim and subsequently analyzed using grounded theory analytical techniques (Strauss & Corbin, 1998). Analyses revealed five central categories representing the personal experience of choking under pressure: antecedents, personal investment, choking event, consequences, and learning experiences. The findings reported here suggest that the choking phenomenon, which can involve acute or chronic bouts of suboptimal performance (relative to the performance expectations of the athlete), is a complex process involving the interplay of several cognitive, attentional, emotional, and situational factors. Implications of the findings for a construct definition of choking are discussed, and several applied considerations are offered.
  Journal of sport & exercise psychology 02/2010; 32(1):61-83. · 2.66 Impact Factor
• Article: Experienced golfers’ perceptions on choking under pressure

  Daniel F. Gucciardi, Jay-Lee Longbottom, Ben Jackson, James A. Dimmock
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Although researchers have experimentally examined the mechanisms underlying pressure-induced forms of suboptimal performance, or " choking under pressure," there is a lack of research exploring the personal experience of this phenomenon. In an attempt to fill this void in the literature, this study explored experienced golfers' perceptions of the choking experience within a personal construct psychology (Kelly, 1955/1991) framework. Both male and female golfers participated in either a focus group (n = 12; all males) or one-on-one interview (n = 10; female = 7, male = 3) using experience cycle methodology (Oades & Viney, 2000) to describe their perceptions of the choking experience. Discussions were transcribed verbatim and subsequently analyzed using grounded theory analytical techniques (Strauss & Corbin, 1998). Analyses revealed five central categories representing the personal experience of choking under pressure: antecedents, personal investment, choking event, consequences, and learning experiences. The findings reported here suggest that the choking phenomenon, which can involve acute or chronic bouts of suboptimal performance (relative to the performance expectations of the athlete), is a complex process involving the interplay of several cognitive, attentional, emotional, and situational factors. Implications of the findings for a construct definition of choking are discussed, and several applied considerations are offered. © 2010 Human Kinetics, Inc.
• Article: An examination of perfectionism traits and physical activity motivation

  Jay-Lee Longbottom, J. Robert Grove, James A. Dimmock
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  ABSTRACT: Objectives Recent research has indicated that maladaptive and adaptive forms of perfectionism underpin fundamentally distinct cognitive and behavioral processes (Stoeber, Stoll, Pescheck, & Otto, 2008). The study of adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism specific to the exercise setting has largely been neglected and may provide clues as to how healthy or dysfunctional forms of physical activity are initiated and maintained. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the associations between dimensions of perfectionism and cognitive and behavioral aspects of physical activity motivation.Method Structural equation modeling was used to examine the relationships between adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism (Cox, Enns, & Clara, 2002) and the four-factor model of physical activity motivation ( [41] and [42]), utilizing data from 215 undergraduate students.ResultsResults supported a model in which adaptive perfectionism was positively associated with adaptive behavioral and cognitive aspects of motivation that reflected self-efficacy, planning, and persistence in physical activity. Maladaptive perfectionism was significantly associated with impeding and maladaptive motivation dimensions that reflected uncertainty about the conduct of exercise, fear of failure, and avoidance of physical activity.Conclusions The findings from the present study suggest that particular forms of perfectionism may predispose individuals to engage in fundamentally different cognitive and behavioral processes that may act to compromise or energize positive outcomes in exercise.
  Psychology of Sport and Exercise. 11(6):574-581.