Anxiety Flashcards
What is the definition of anxiety?
It is a negative emotional state associated with feelings of worry or nervousness relating to activation/arousal
What is competitive anxiety?
Worry or apprehension experienced during/about competitive experiences.
What does anxiety relate to the feeling of?
Being threatened
What 4 things can people feel threatened about?
Threat of physical harm
Threat to self-esteem
Threat of letting people down
Threat of punishment
What are the 4 factors related to competitive anxiety?
Individual differences
Different types of anxiety
General/specific anxiety
The competition process
Explain individual differences as a factor of competitive anxiety
It’s the way people interact with a situation for example, important games may generate more anxiety than friendly games.
Explain different types of anxiety as a factor of competitive anxiety
Trait anxiety (A trait) genetic - perceive most situations as threatening
State anxiety immediate condition of anxiety
High trait anxiety more likely to experience high state anxiety in stressful situations.
Explain general/specific anxiety as a factor of competitive anxiety.
High A trait performers are more likely to be anxious in stressful situations but anxiety levels vary.
May be anxious in a match but not during training. This is known as competitive trait anxiety
Explain the competition process as a factor of competitive anxiety
This involves the interaction between personality factors, competitive trait anxiety and the situation. This interaction may cause state anxiety.
What are the 2 forms of anxiety?
Somatic and cognitive
How do you test anxiety?
The Sport Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT)
Describe cognitive anxiety
This is the thought component of anxiety. Associated with worry, apprehension and the fear of negative evaluation of performance
Describe somatic anxiety
The physical component of anxiety. Associated with an increase in HR, Bp and respiration rate. This is triggered by cognitive anxiety.
What is the effect when both somatic and cognitive anxiety are high?
Negative effect on performance.
They are linked so control of both is needed to optimise performance
What does being in the zone mean the performer is?
Relaxed, confident, focused, performing effortlessly, moving automatically, having fun, in control.
Describe cue utilisation
Picking up on all the relevant cues
Ignoring irrelevant cues
Ideal attentional field.
What is perceptual narrowing?
As arousal increases the attentional field of that person narrows.
What is selective attention?
When a performer picks up on all the relevant cues and ignores the irrelevant cues.
What are the 8 ways people can manage their anxiety?
Mental rehearsal Imagery Positive self talk Rational thinking Negative thought stopping Goals Distractions Yoga
Describe what mental rehearsal is as a technique to manage anxiety
Mentally repeating what needs to be done
Describe what imagery is as a technique to manage anxiety
Creating mental pictures
Describe what positive self talk is as a technique to manage anxiety
Positive thinking leads to optimistic attitudes
Describe what rational thinking is as a technique to manage anxiety
Thinking what can/can’t be achieved or reflecting on positive past experiences
Describe what negative thought stopping is as a technique to manage anxiety
Blocking out irrational/ negative thoughts
Describe what goals are as a technique to manage anxiety
Goal setting that is SMART/realistic/achievable
Or use process/performance goals
Describe how distractions work as a technique to manage anxiety
Using distractions to avoid stressors
Eg music, people, doing other activities
