AQA · A-Level · Physical Education
Course version: 7582 · Version from Sept 2016
Definitions of anticipation.
Full specification wording
Efficiency of information processing to include:: Definitions of anticipation.
Anticipation is a cognitive skill within information processing: a performer uses cues and probabilities from the display, before or during the movement, to predict what is about to happen and to…
Checked against the AQA 7582 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 17 of 30
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Anticipation is a cognitive skill within information processing: a performer uses cues and probabilities from the display, before or during the movement, to predict what is about to happen and to begin an appropriate response earlier. In AQA A-level Physical Education, anticipation is studied as a way of improving the efficiency of information processing, because predicting an opponent's action reduces the amount of time needed to detect, decide and act. A tennis player who reads the server's racket face and toss, or a defender who moves before a pass is made, is anticipating rather than reacting. Anticipation depends on cue detection, stored memory of similar situations and attention to relevant information. It can be spatial, predicting where something will go, or temporal, predicting when it will happen.
What earns the marks
- Anticipation is the prediction of an upcoming event or action based on cues and probabilities in the display.
- Anticipation improves the efficiency of information processing by reducing the time taken to detect, decide and respond.
- Anticipation can be spatial, predicting where an action or object will go, or temporal, predicting when it will occur.
- Examples include reading a server's racket in tennis or a defender moving before a pass is made.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Confusing anticipation with reaction.
Put it right: Reaction is a response after a stimulus is detected, whereas anticipation is a prediction made before or as the stimulus unfolds.
Treating anticipation as purely physical speed.
Put it right: It is a cognitive process involving cue detection, memory and decision making, not just fast movement.
Assuming anticipation is always correct.
Put it right: A performer can misread cues and anticipate wrongly, which can be exploited by an opponent.
Believing anticipation removes the need for practice.
Put it right: Accurate anticipation is developed through experience and exposure to relevant cues.
Exam tips
- Define anticipation precisely, then link it to reduced processing time rather than describing it only as guessing.
- Use a named sporting example to show cue detection leading to an earlier response.
- Distinguish anticipation from reaction time in your answer to show precise understanding of information processing.
Try the lesson
The start of the Efficiency of information processing to include:: Definitions of anticipation. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which of the following provides the most accurate definition of anticipation in a sporting context?
Listen
Anticipation is a cognitive skill within information processing: a performer uses cues and probabilities from the display, before or during the movement, to predict what is about to happen and to begin an appropriate response earlier. In AQA A-level Physical Education, anticipation is studied as a way of improving the efficiency of information processing, because predicting an opponent's action reduces the amount of time needed to detect, decide and act. A tennis player who reads the server's racket face and toss, or a defender who moves before a pass is made, is anticipating rather than reacting. Anticipation depends on cue detection, stored memory of similar situations and attention to relevant information. It can be spatial, predicting where something will go, or temporal, predicting when it will happen. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Anticipation is the prediction of an upcoming event or action based on cues and probabilities in the display. Anticipation improves the efficiency of information processing by reducing the time taken to detect, decide and respond. Anticipation can be spatial, predicting where an action or object will go, or temporal, predicting when it will occur. Examples include reading a server's racket in tennis or a defender moving before a pass is made. Exam tip: Define anticipation precisely, then link it to reduced processing time rather than describing it only as guessing.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Anticipation
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Cue detection
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Spatial anticipation
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Temporal anticipation
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See every definition
- Anticipation
- The prediction of an upcoming event or action based on cues and probabilities in the display, allowing a response to be prepared or initiated before the event occurs.
- Cue detection
- Detecting relevant cues, which anticipation relies on alongside stored memory of previous similar situations and directing attention appropriately.
- Spatial anticipation
- Predicting where an action or object will go.
- Temporal anticipation
- Predicting when an action or object will occur.
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