An Olympic weightlifter focusing intently on the performance while ignoring external distractions demonstrates which cognitive ability?

An Olympic weightlifter focusing intently on the performance while ignoring external distractions demonstrates which cognitive ability?

• A. Selective Attention
• B. Somatic Anxiety
• C. Guided Discovery
• D. Self-Efficacy

Answer: (A)

Selective attention is the ability to concentrate on task-relevant cues while filtering out irrelevant stimuli. An Olympic weightlifter who stays focused on performance cues—bar path, hip drive, bracing, timing—while ignoring distractions like crowd noise or fatigue is exhibiting this skill. This focused attention helps maintain proper technique and consistency, especially under pressure. Somatic anxiety refers to physical arousal, not the cognitive act of filtering distractions. Guided discovery is a coaching method to help athletes uncover solutions, and self-efficacy is the belief in one's ability to perform, not the actual attention process.

Selective attention is the ability to concentrate on task-relevant cues while filtering out irrelevant stimuli. An Olympic weightlifter who stays focused on performance cues—bar path, hip drive, bracing, timing—while ignoring distractions like crowd noise or fatigue is exhibiting this skill. This focused attention helps maintain proper technique and consistency, especially under pressure. Somatic anxiety refers to physical arousal, not the cognitive act of filtering distractions. Guided discovery is a coaching method to help athletes uncover solutions, and self-efficacy is the belief in one's ability to perform, not the actual attention process.