Anxiety

Question 1

What is the definition of anxiety?

Answer 1

It is a negative emotional state associated with feelings of worry or nervousness relating to activation/arousal

Question 2

What is competitive anxiety?

Answer 2

Worry or apprehension experienced during/about competitive experiences.

Question 3

What does anxiety relate to the feeling of?

Answer 3

Being threatened

Question 4

What 4 things can people feel threatened about?

Answer 4

Threat of physical harm
Threat to self-esteem
Threat of letting people down
Threat of punishment

Question 5

What are the 4 factors related to competitive anxiety?

Answer 5

Individual differences
Different types of anxiety
General/specific anxiety
The competition process

Question 6

Explain individual differences as a factor of competitive anxiety

Answer 6

It’s the way people interact with a situation for example, important games may generate more anxiety than friendly games.

Question 7

Explain different types of anxiety as a factor of competitive anxiety

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

Explain general/specific anxiety as a factor of competitive anxiety.

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Explain the competition process as a factor of competitive anxiety

Answer 9

This involves the interaction between personality factors, competitive trait anxiety and the situation. This interaction may cause state anxiety.

Question 10

What are the 2 forms of anxiety?

Answer 10

Somatic and cognitive

Question 11

How do you test anxiety?

Answer 11

The Sport Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT)

Question 12

Describe cognitive anxiety

Answer 12

This is the thought component of anxiety. Associated with worry, apprehension and the fear of negative evaluation of performance

Question 13

Describe somatic anxiety

Answer 13

The physical component of anxiety. Associated with an increase in HR, Bp and respiration rate. This is triggered by cognitive anxiety.

Question 14

What is the effect when both somatic and cognitive anxiety are high?

Answer 14

Negative effect on performance.

They are linked so control of both is needed to optimise performance

Question 15

What does being in the zone mean the performer is?

Answer 15

Relaxed, confident, focused, performing effortlessly, moving automatically, having fun, in control.

Question 16

Describe cue utilisation

Answer 16

Picking up on all the relevant cues
Ignoring irrelevant cues
Ideal attentional field.

Question 17

What is perceptual narrowing?

Answer 17

As arousal increases the attentional field of that person narrows.

Question 18

What is selective attention?

Answer 18

When a performer picks up on all the relevant cues and ignores the irrelevant cues.

Question 19

What are the 8 ways people can manage their anxiety?

Answer 19

Mental rehearsal
Imagery
Positive self talk
Rational thinking 
Negative thought stopping
Goals
Distractions
Yoga

Question 20

Describe what mental rehearsal is as a technique to manage anxiety

Answer 20

Mentally repeating what needs to be done

Question 21

Describe what imagery is as a technique to manage anxiety

Answer 21

Creating mental pictures

Question 22

Describe what positive self talk is as a technique to manage anxiety

Answer 22

Positive thinking leads to optimistic attitudes

Question 23

Describe what rational thinking is as a technique to manage anxiety

Answer 23

Thinking what can/can’t be achieved or reflecting on positive past experiences

Question 24

Describe what negative thought stopping is as a technique to manage anxiety

Answer 24

Blocking out irrational/ negative thoughts

Question 25

Describe what goals are as a technique to manage anxiety

Answer 25

Goal setting that is SMART/realistic/achievable

Or use process/performance goals

Question 26

Describe how distractions work as a technique to manage anxiety

Answer 26

Using distractions to avoid stressors

Eg music, people, doing other activities