Anxiety Flashcards
SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY
what is anxiety?
a nervous feeling which you experience when placed in a stressful situation.
for example when athletes are experiencing a build up to an important event or during a major competition when theres a lot of pressure.
what is competitive state anxiety?
the apprehension experienced by an athlete when they are in a particular situation
what is competitive state anxiety?
an individuals inherited predisposition to behave in a certain way when stressed.
high levels = display symptoms of nervousness
symptoms of somatic anxiety (body)
- headache
- muscular tension
- raised HR
- raised BR
- increase sweating
- nausea
- irritability
- increase need to urinate
- butterfly feeling
- loss of appetite
symptoms of cognitive anxiety (feelings)
- loss of concentration/focus
- confusion
- feeling uneasy
- negative thoughts
- feeling weak
- indecision
- feeling of unsatisfaction
what are the advantages of observations when measuring anxiety?
- athletes carry on as normal
- non invasive
- cheap
- more than one can be assessed at a time
what are the disadvantages of observations when measuring anxiety?
- athletes can change their behaviour if aware of an observer
- difficult for the observer to watch an individual for the entire game
- opinions can be bias or subjective
what are the advantages of questionnaires when measuring anxiety?
- cheap
- privacy
- large groups can be tested at a time
- non invasive
- questions can be tested for bias prior to delivery
- questions can be tested for validity and reliability prior to delivery
what are the disadvantages of questionnaires when measuring anxiety?
- questions can be interpreted in the wrong way
- individuals may rush to finish it
- questions may be developed to force a untrue answer
- individuals may scope their answers to what they think the examinar wants
what are the advantages of physiological measures when measuring anxiety?
- easily measured (e.g. heart monitors/fitness trackers)
- detection can be compared to the situation the athlete is in (e.g. high levels before a game and low after)
what are the disadvantages of physiological measures when measuring anxiety?
- observers may find the technology difficult
- expensive
- some measures might be higher due to individual being aware they are being tested
