Lecture 3

Question 1

Which perspective decreases the level of anxiety: ego motivational climate (focus on outcome) or mastery motivational climate (focus on improvement/development)?

Answer 1

Mastery motivational climate, if you focus on your development instead of your performance, it lowers your anxiety levels.

Question 2

True or false: being physically active (or pumped) is enough to perform optimal.

Answer 2

False, according to the catastrophe phenomenon it is important that you’re also mentally pumped. Even though this theory isn’t fully supported by research, this is an important part to remember.

Question 3

Zajonc’s social facilitation theory is related to the following theory:
A inverted U-hypothesis
B drive theory
C individual zones of optimal functioning
D multidimensional anxiety theory

Answer 3

B drive theory, because that theory states that there is a linear relationship between arousal and performance. The social facilitation theory also sees it this way. The more arousal the better, IF you are skilled or the task is simple, and the less arousal is better IF you are not skilled and/or the task is complex.

Question 4

Give an example of the inverted U-hypothesis with quidditch.

Answer 4

Okay, now compare it to the theory: the more aroused Harry is, the better he will perform at a quidditch match, but if he is too aroused, his performance will go down. This is the same for Ron and any other quidditch player.

Question 5

Ron performs very badly at a quidditch match, however, in the training he shows he can perform pretty good. Whereas Harry isn’t negatively affected by the presence of an audience. Ron’s behavior fits with (theory) Harry’s behavior fits with (theory). Fill in the gaps.

Answer 5

Ron’s behavior fits with the Individualized Zone of Optimal Functioning, because Ron performs better with lower arousal. Harry’s behavior fits with the social facilitation theory because according to that theory his dominant response would be performing well under the pressure of the audience, because he has fully mastered his quidditch-skills.

Question 6

True or false: a micro flow is a short period of positive, mental state in which athletes achieve their best performance.

Answer 6

False, a micro flows are the little things that bring joy to your life, such as: listening to music and drinking a cup of coffee in the morning.

Question 7

True or false: a trait anxiety goes together with the activation of the automatic nervous system.

Answer 7

False, this is a state anxiety. If a personal character of trait anxiety would constantly arouse the automatic nervous system, this would not be healthy.