Improving Performance Flashcards
1
Q
Describe the drive theory to arousal
A
- Performance = habit (dominant response) x drive (arousal)
- When the dominant response is usually correct (as is the case with elites), increases in arousal facilitate performance
2
Q
Describe the inverted-U hypothesis
A
- Too low or too high arousal produces worst performance
- The position of the inverted-u and point of optimal arousal depends on the activity, skill level and personality
3
Q
Describe individual zones of optimal functioning
A
- There are individual differences in the way arousal affects performance, everyone has a different optimal zone and anything out of it produces poorer performance
- Optimal performance is not a single point, but a range
4
Q
Describe the multidimensional anxiety theory
A
- Anxiety has two distinct components (cognitive and somatic), and the effect on performance needs to reflect this
- Increases in cognitive anxiety produce decreased performance (negative linear relationship), whilst increases in somatic anxiety have an inverted-u shape
5
Q
Describe the catastrophe theory
A
- Performance depends on the interaction between somatic and cognitive anxiety
- At low cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety has an inverted-u relationship with performance
- At high cognitive anxiety, increases in somatic anxiety increase performance until a threshold just past the optimal point, after which a catastrophe occurs
6
Q
Describe the directional perception approach
A
- The anxiety-performance relationship is based on both intensity and direction of cognitive and somatic anxiety
7
Q
What are the 3 methods to reduce somatic anxiety?
A
- Progressive relaxation
- Breathing control
- Biofeedback
8
Q
Describe progressive relaxation
A
- Focused and systematic tightening (5-7 secs) and subsequent relaxing (around 20 secs) of specific muscle groups
- Objective is to become aware of the difference between the presence and absence of muscular tension
9
Q
Describe biofeedback
A
- Feedback about physiological responses (eg HR, breathing, brain activity) is relayed to the individual to increase awareness
- The awareness can help reduce anxiety and increase perceived control over anxiety
10
Q
What are the 3 techniques to reduce cognitive anxiety?
A
- Meditation
- Autogenic training
- Systemic desensitisation
11
Q
Describe autogenic training
A
- Verbal self-statements repeatedly made aiming to reduce arousal by controlling the sensations of heaviness and warmth in the body
- eg ‘my breathing is slow’
12
Q
Describe systematic desensitisation
A
- Practising relaxation responses and then introducing an anxiety-inducing stimuli
- Repeated bouts of this is proposed to weaken the intensity of the anxiety-inducing stimuli, desensitising the individual to it
13
Q
What are signs of under-arousal?
A
- Moving slowly
- Mind wandering
- Lack of performance concerns
- Lack of anticipation and enthusiasm
- Heavy feeling in legs
14
Q
Describe imagery
A
- A form of stimulation that involves recalling from memory pieces of information stored from experience and shaping these pieces into meaningful images
- Involves all the senses and emotions
15
Q
What is the motivational specific type of imagery
A
- Goal orientated responses
- eg imagining oneself winning an event and receiving a medal
16
Q
What is the cognitive specific type of imagery?
A
- Skills
- eg imagining performing on the balance beam successfully
17
Q
What is the motivational general type of imagery?
A
- Arousal
- eg including relaxation by imagining a quiet place
18
Q
What is the cognitive general type of imagery?
A
- Strategy
- eg imagining carrying out a strategy to win a competition
19
Q
A
