Anxiety and aggression

Question 1

Define anxiety

Answer 1

Negative emotional state associated with stress, leading to feelings of worry

Question 2

Describe trait anxiety

Answer 2

Anxiety that is innate
Anxiety that is stable and continuous

Question 3

Describe state anxiety

Answer 3

Anxiety arising from a particular situation
Anxiety is unstable. Could be through fear of injury, fear of losing, embarrassment

Question 4

Give an example of a response to cognitive anxiety

Answer 4

Negative thoughts

Question 5

Give an example of a response to somatic anxiety

Answer 5

Increased heart rate, sweating, increased blood pressure

Question 6

What is the zone of optimal functioning

Answer 6

When the performer is at optimal arousal and anxiety levels
When the performer is performing at their best

Question 7

What would performance look like for those in the zone of optimal functioning

Answer 7

Performance is effortless
Performance is confident
Performer is concentrated and blocking out distractions

Question 8

Give examples of how performers can achieve the zone of optimal functioning

Answer 8

Cognitive techniques like positive self-talk
Somatic techniques likes breathing control
Practice so skills are correct and the dominant response is correct

Question 9

Define the term aggression in sport

Answer 9

An act showing the intention to harm outside the laws of the game

Question 10

Describe instinct theory of aggression

Answer 10

• Innate human instinct to be aggressive
• Animalistic

Question 11

Describe social learning theory of aggression

Answer 11

• Watching and copying aggression
• More likely to be learnt from role models or significant others
• Can be learnt when aggression is positively reinforced

Question 12

Describe frustration-aggression hypothesis

Answer 12

• Frustration develops when goal-directed behaviour is blocked
• Frustration always leads to aggression
• If the individual successfully releases the aggression, Catharsis occurs (feels good)
• If not successfully released or punished for it, this leads to more frustration and then more aggression

Question 13

Describe aggressive cue hypothesis

Answer 13

• Aggression that is caused by cues in the environment
• Sport contains objects/weapons that cause aggression
• In some sports, aggression is in the nature of the event

Question 14

Give a positive of the Instinct theory

Answer 14

Evidence to suggest that it is natural human instinct to be aggressive
Some people are always aggressive, suggesting aggression is innate

Question 15

Give a positive of the social learning theory of aggression

Answer 15

Evidence to suggest that aggressive tendencies are learned by watching significant others
Simple to understand

Question 16

Give a positive of the Frustration aggression hypothesis

Answer 16

Evident in sport to see when goals are blocked, frustration occurs
You do get a sense of catharsis when frustration is released
Clearly explains that there is an evident link between frustration and aggression

Question 17

Give a positive of the aggressive cue theory

Answer 17

True that aggression occurs in sports where aggression is part of the nature of the game
True that certain cues, such as, incorrect referring decisions causes aggression

Question 18

Give a negative of the Instinct theory

Answer 18

Not all humans show aggressive behaviour
Aggression is often provoked
Aggression is shown by people at different times and situations

Question 19

Give a negative of the social learning theory of aggression

Answer 19

People can be aggressive without ever seeing aggression
People with similar role model don’t always show the same aggression
Some will realise aggression is wrong and won’t copy behaviour

Question 20

Give a negative of the Frustration-aggression hypothesis

Answer 20

Frustration does not always lead to aggression
Aggression can occur without any frustration being present
Unpunished aggression does not always lead to catharsis

Question 21

Give a negative of the aggressive cue theory

Answer 21

Certain cues, such as hockey sticks, do not cause everyone to act aggressive
Does not account for innate characteristics