Question

Suzzette is a professional dancer who has suffered an injury to her knee. She is devastated that she cannot dance for the next three months. Her brother made the suggestion to think about her dancing often and even actively imagine herself dancing every day through her routines. Based on information provided in your textbook, how should Suzzette respond to her brother's suggestions?

A. Suzzette should ignore her brother's suggestions because they are ridiculous.
B. Suzzette should thank her brother for trying to cheer her up but not take his advice.
C. Since the research on mental imagery suggests that the same brain areas are activated when a person is performing a task or mentally rehearsing it, Suzzette should listen to her brother's advice.
D. Suzzette should listen to her brother's suggestion because research demonstrates that injuries heal substantially earlier when mental imagery is used.

Answer 1

Suzzette should consider her brother's advice because mental imagery activates similar brain regions involved when actually performing the task, which may help her maintain skills during her recovery period. While there's no direct evidence on mental imagery speeding up physical healing, it could be beneficial psychologically.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on the information provided in the question and the principles found in similar textbook materials, Suzzette should consider her brother's advice. The research on mental imagery does suggest that when a person engages in mental rehearsing of a physical activity, similar areas of the brain are activated as when actually performing the task. This can include the motor cortex, which is involved in planning, controlling, and executing voluntary movements, as well as the visual and auditory cortices for imagining the sights and sounds of the activity.

Although the question does not present any direct research indicating that mental imagery can expedite the physical healing of an injury, it is a widely recognized technique in sports psychology to enhance performance and maintain skills during periods of inactivity. Thus, mental practice of dancing could be beneficial for Suzzette to maintain her mental sharpness and connection to dancing, which could assist in her return to physical practice once her injury has healed.

In athlete performance and injury recovery, maintaining a positive mindset and visualizing success are crucial components. According to the principles referenced in the textbooks' examples, a focus on forward-thinking and positive progression is more beneficial than dwelling on the past or present setbacks.