UCD Psychology Professor Speaks at Arrival of Olympic Torch in Dublin
On 6 June, the Olympic torch arrived in Dublin – the only city outside Greece and the United Kingdom to host the flame. To mark this unique historical occasion, the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI), the Northern Ireland Branch of the British Psychological Society (NIBPS), and Trinity College, Dublin (as part of its Trinity Psychology 50 Master Class) collaborated to jointly host a Public Lecture by Professor Aidan Moran (School of Psychology, UCD) on Imagination in Action: Mental Practice and Skilled Performance in Sport and Surgery in the Swift Theatre in Trinity College, Dublin.The purpose of this lecture, which drew a very large audience, was to explore how imagination, or the ability to mentally simulate sensations, actions and other types of experience, can enhance the learning and performance of complex skills in fields such as sport and medical surgery. Having explored how many top athletes (e.g., Michael Phelps) use “mental practice” (i.e., “seeing” and “feeling” an action in one’s imagination without engaging in the actual movements involved) to concentrate effectively in competitive sport, Prof Moran explained some of his recent studies (with colleagues in Imperial College, London) which show that imagery training can enhance laparoscopic medical surgery skills. Finally, based on the latest findings from imagery research in psychology and cognitive neuroscience, Prof Moran provided some practical tips on using one’s imagination to improve skilled performance in everyday life.
Pictured at Prof Moran’s lecture were (from left to right): Prof Mac MacLachlan (TCD), Prof Aidan Moran (UCD), Prof Carol McGuinness (QUB; Chair of NIBPS) and Dr Michael Drumm (President, PSI) (photo courtesy of Paul O’Hanlon)