anxiety Flashcards
what is anxiety
a negative emotional state closely associated with arousal
experiencing apprehension and being aware of high arousal linked to our fears and worries
what is trait anxiety
a trait that is enduring in an individual.
a performer with high trait anxiety has the predisposition or potential to react to situations with apprehension
what factors affect competitive anxiety
-individual differences in interaction with situation
eg important games generate more enxiety
-types of anxiety
high trait anxiety = high state anxiety
-general anxiety: some performers are naturally more anxious than others. may be anxious playing but not watching
-competition process: involves interaction between personality factors
sport competition anxiety test SCAT
-self report quetsionnaire to assess anxiety in comp = measures competitive trait anxiety
strengths of SCAT
-reliable and useful predictor of future anxiety
-results relate to state anxiety before comp
-uses personality and situation
what does scat research show
-cog state anxiety in as comp approaches but doesn’t inc immediately before
-somatic state anxiety tends to be low before comp but inc hours before
-effect of cog and somatic state anxiety can be catastrophic
what is the zone of optimal functioning
when an athletes arousal/anxiety levels are at optimum and give best performance
how do top performers aim to be in the zone
-be relaxed. don’t need high levels of arousal
-be confident. need overall belief in performance
-completely focused
-activity is effortless
-automatic movements
-have fun
-in control
what techniques do top performers use to be in the zone
-positive self talk
-mental rehearsal
-visualisation
-imagery
-goal setting
-cue utilisation
-mindfulness
what is cue utilisation
concentrating on cues relevant at that particular time
eg hockey player being aware of the ball movements and the players around it.
can get too distracted by audience
what is competitive trait anxiety
tendency to perceive competitive situations as threatening and respond to these feelings with apprehension or tension
what is cognitive anxiety
anxiety experienced by the mind
eg worry about failing
what is somatic anxiety
anxiety felt in physiologically
eg sweating, inc hr
what is state anxiety
anxiety felt in particular situation
