ˌvɪzjuəlaɪˈzeɪʃən noun (Lifestyle
and Leisure)
The technique of forming a
mental picture or
vision of
something (particularly of a hoped-for
event or
outcome to a situation) as a
psychological aid to
confidence and
achievement.
Etymology: Formed by adding the noun
suffix -ation to the
verb visualize 'make
visible,
form an
image of'.
History and
Usage: As a psychological
term, visualization
has been in
use for most of the twentieth
century, but has enjoyed a
particular fashion in the fields of sports
psychology and
New Age philosophy in the eighties. A
crystal that, combined
with visualization, can be used like a
pair of
scissors or a
knife, is the
laser wand. Soozi Holbeche The
Power of Gems & Crystals (1989), p. 93 Most competitors down the years
have thought
roughly about what they intended to do...Now visualisation of what is
going to
happen from the
moment of
arrival at the
arena,
through the warm-up process and
then through
every throw or
jump is
part of the detailed
preparation by Backley and
May. Backley describes it as self-hypnosis.
Guardian 5 Aug. 1989, p. 19
