[Mathew]

Something else to consider. In performing an experiment like this, how would you be able to tell whether or not the cue is working as a trigger, as opposed to simply being an irritant itself?

This initial experiment was meant to be completely blatent to the opponent.

What I found was that - I really did have the impression that by having him hear that click everytime he missed a shot really did have a reinforcing effect on the fact he misses shots instead of allowing his mind to have instant amnesia of the event which produced the growing irratability you talked about. If I had done this on his successful shots or all shots - I felt as though this would of just been slightly bugging but not produce the reaction I envoked - obviously this needs to be tested.

Now after a few games, I then tested this trigger just as he was going to down to take his shot. Now it is obvious to me that it definately did trigger him into a negative mental state - either he associated it with being annoyed and/or the shots he's missed. Whether he would still associate without the blatent clicking and then at opportune moments reminding him of those missed shots without the blatent, almost taunting manner I did them in remains to be seen.

My next experiment is going to be much more subtle - almost to the other extreme.