Anxiety Flashcards
What are the 5 types of anxiety?
1 - Cognitive 2 - Somatic 3 - Trait 4 - State 5 - Competitive
Describe cognitive anxiety
This is the psychological component of anxity. They may be vague unpleasant thoughts a performer may develop - usually associated with concerns about underachieving
Name the negative effects of cognitive anxiety
1 - Confusion
2 - Irrational thoughts
3 - Lack of concentration
Describe somatic anxiety
This is the psychological response of the body to the performer’s cognitive anxiety
Give examples of the effects of somatic anxiety
1 - Increased heart rate and blood pressure
2 - Sweating
3 - Queasy feeling in stomach
4 - Clammy hands
Describe trait anxiety
Trait anxiety is INNATE and is a personality trait that is constant.
A person with a high level of trait anxiety tends to…
- Be generally predisposed with high cognitive and somatic anxiety
- Generally react to situations with a very high and often disproportionate level of state anxiety
- Tend to view competitive situations as threatening
What is trait anxiety also known as?
A-Trait
Describe state anxiety
This is situation specific anxiety. It can vary in intensity from situation to situation and at various times within a certain situation. State anxiety is temporary
What is state anxiety also known as?
A-State
How are state and trait anxiety related?
A performer with high trait anxiety is likely to perceive more situations as threatening and so is more likely to exhibit high levels of state anxiety, so trait anxiety affects state anxiety
How does cognitive anxiety affect performance?
LOOK AT GRAPH IN BOOKLET
There is a negative linear relationship between cognitive anxiety and performance - the lower the cognitive anxiety the better the performance
How does somatic anxiety affect performance?
LOOK AT GRAPH IN BOOKLET
Moderate levels of somatic anxiety produce the best performance (same curve as inverted-u theory)
What is cognitive and somatic anxiety like before a competition and during a competition?
LOOK AT GRAPH IN BOOKLET
Before competition…
-Cognitive effects tend to appear first, in the days before the competition. Tends to remain high until onset of exercise
-Somatic anxiety is low leading up to the event, but then rises quickly in the hours before the competition
During competition…
- Somatic anxiety tends to decrease during competition
- Both may fluctuate during significant parts of the competition e.g. if a penalty is awarded, a goal is scored etc
Describe competitive anxiety
This is sport specific anxiety - sufferers tend to see competitive situations as threatening
Describe competitive anxiety
performer GENERALLY perceives competitive situations as threatening
Describe state anxiety
different levels of anxiety during specific situations
What is an STAI and what does it measure?
State Trait Anxiety Inventory - it is a questionnaire that measures trait anxiety
What is the importance of measuring anxiety?
It is important that coaches are aware of anxiety levels as these can negatively affect a performance - they can use techniques to lower anxiety levels if they are too high
What are the 3 main methods of measuring anxiety?
- Self-Report questionnaire - this involves giving short written answers to questions that can be standardised on a scale to compare results e.g. SCAT
- Observation - here the researcher watches the players in action and notes aspects of their behaviour
- Physiological responses - the player is wired up to a monitor such as a heart rate meter, and accurate readings of responses to exercise or stress are taken
What is an SCAT and what does it measure?
Sports Competition Anxiety Test - measures competitive anxiety
What are the advantages and disadvantages of self-report questionnaires?
Advantages:
- Quick
- Easy to complete
- Lots of information
- Easy to compare individuals
Disadvantages:
- Honesty of answers
- Time of day and mood can affect answers
- Limited number of answers
- Misunderstanding of questions
- Personality of tester can affect answers
What are the advantages and disadvantages of and observation?
Advantages:
- True to life (in a sport setting)
Disadvantages:
- Completing observations is time consuming
- If the performer knows they’re being observed they may alter their behaviour
- The information collected is subjective and is open to observer bias
- Need to know normal behaviour patterns
What are the advantages and disadvantages of physiological measures?
Advantages:
- Quantitative, objective data
- Collects accurate data
Disadvantages:
- Restrictive to performance
- Impractical
- Can causes anxiety
Why is goal setting beneficial? (8 points)
1 - Allows targets to be met 2 - Reduces anxiety and stress 3 - Controls arousal levels 4 - Provides motivation 5 - Improves confidence 6 - Allows attention to be directed to key elements of performance 7 - Sustains effort 8 - Regulates effort
Name and explain the 4 types of goals using examples
Outcome goals - are related to the end result e.g. win race, win match
Task orientated goals - improving without necessarily winning
Performance goals - concerned with performance judged against other performances e.g. run a personal best time
Process goals - concentrate on performer’s technique and tactics i.e. what a performer has to do to be more successful e.g. bring right arm back further to throw javelin further
What is a SMARTER goal? Describe what each letter means
Specific - clear and set for individual performer and their sport, not general
Measurable - gives information about success which will motivate performer
Achievable -
Realistic - goals should not be too or too hard as a performer may not try to their fullest
Time-bound - goals should be split into short term goals and long term goals. This step-by-step approach over a period of time ensures that goals remain realistic and achievable
Evaluate - look at successes and failures. The performer and coach should evaluate how and when the goal was achieved
Re-do - revisit the failures. If the goal hasnt been achieved then new targets should be set
