Fazey and Hardy - Paper 3 (sport)

Question 1

Background

Answer 1

Yerkes and Dodson’s Inverted U theory
Oxendine’s extension of the theory - that higher arousal is better for gross motor activities, lower is better for fine motor activities but that above average arousal is always preferable to average or below average levels

Question 2

Three issues with Inverted U theory

Answer 2

Difficulties with basic constructs
Lack of convincing evidence
Difficulties applying the model

Question 3

Research method

Answer 3

Monograph

Question 4

Difficulties with basic constructs

Answer 4

Many psychologists use terms “arousal”, “stress”, and “anxiety” interchangeably when they are actually different
Inverted U only describes the relationship between arousal and performance, not the more important relationship between anxiety and performance

Question 5

Lack of convincing evidence

Answer 5

Self explanatory
Little to no sound corroborative evidence
supporting the Inverted U model

Question 6

Difficulties in applying the model

Answer 6

F&H found that when an athlete went “over the top”:
the drop in performance was large and dramatic, not gradual; and that once this occured it was difficult to return performance to even a mediocre level, and smaller reductions in stress made no difference

Question 7

Catastrophe theory background

Answer 7

Proposed by F&H as an alternative to Inverted U theory
Explains relationship between anxiety and performance

Question 8

Catastrophe theory outline

Answer 8

Assumes that the level of cognitive anxiety determines the effects of physiological arousal
Where physiological demands are high and cognitive demands are low, cognitive anxiety will be associated with good performance
Where physiological demands are low and cognitive demands are high, cognitive anxiety will be associated with poor performance
When anxiety hits the critical point of no longer improving performance, the drop in performance is catastrophic and a major anxiety reduction is needed

Question 9

Catastrophe model predictions

Answer 9

Physiological arousal/somatic anxiety is not always detrimental, but will be linked to catastrophe if cognitive anxiety is high
In high anxiety conditions, hysterics will occur - not in low anxiety
Intermediate levels of performance are least likely in high anxiety scenarios

Question 10

Conclusions

Answer 10

The Inverted U theory is flawed
Catastrophe models can be applied to better explain the contributions to performance of anxiety, physiological arousal, task difficulty and self-confidence

Question 11

Application

Answer 11

At least one technique for managing arousal and anxiety
ie relaxation techniques/training to reduce anxiety/arousal or energising techniques to increase arousal