Measuring Anxiety

Question 1

What are the physiological measures of anxiety

Answer 1

1.heart rate
2.cortisol
3.skin conductance
4.respiration

Question 2

Advantages of physiological measures

Answer 2

Direct comparisons
Quantifiable values

Question 3

Disadvantages of physiological measures

Answer 3

1.expensive
2.require training
3.response not always reflection of anxiety

Question 4

Self report questionnaires advantages

Answer 4

1. Cheap
2. No special training
3. Easy to administer
   4.can distinguish between different types of anxiety

Question 5

Self report wuestionaires disadvantage

Answer 5

1.response bias
2.difficult to compare other scores
3.response scores can be limiting (e.g. 1-4)
4. Can we always articulate how we feel

Question 6

How can anxiety interfere with performance

Answer 6

Attention and concentration changes— narrowing of attention which is bad for team sports

Question 7

Implications for coaches and sports psychologists

Answer 7

1.psyching up strategies should be used with caution
2.optimal levels differ between each person and high anxiety is not always detrimental to performance