An examination of inattentional blindness in the team ball sport of netball : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Health Science in Sport and Exercise at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand

Abstract

The world around us is a detail-rich place. Therefore, there are numerous stimuli to observe, and as humans, we only have a limited information processing capacity. Thus, on occasion, we can have failures of attention. Inattentional blindness is a specific failure of attention when a person fails to see a clearly visible, but unexpected stimulus because their attention is engaged elsewhere. Inattentional blindness becomes an issue in team ball sports as missing critical stimuli, such as a freely available teammate, may be the difference between winning and losing. The present study examines inattentional blindness in the team ball sport context of netball. This examination has been conducted using a more ecologically valid sport inattentional blindness research paradigm than previously used. The findings of this study provide evidence that inattentional blindness exists in netball.