ABSTRACT
This chapter explains what "expertise" means and indicates why it has become such an important topic in psychology. It addresses the general question of whether athletic success is determined more by hardware or by software characteristics of sport performers. The chapter outlines and evaluates research methods and findings on expert–novice differences in the domain of sport. It then focuses on the issues that the degree to which athletic expertise transfers effectively from one domain to another within a given sport. The chapter explores the development of expertise in sport performers. It explains and critiques Ericsson's theory that expertise is due mainly to a phenomenon called "deliberate practice". The chapter also examines the significance of, and some problems and new directions in, research on expertise in athletes. Finally, some suggestions are provided for possible research projects in this field.
