Module 4 Part 2

Question 1

Common Anxiety and Arousal-Sport Performance Relationship Models/Theories

Answer 1

1. Drive Theory
   – (Hull, 1951)
2. Inverted U Hypothesis
   – (Yerkes-Dodson Law; Yerkes & Dodson, 1908)
3. Individualized Zones of Optimal Functioning
   - (Hanin, 1980)
4. Cusp Catastrophe Theory
   – (Fazey & Hardy, 1988; Hardy, 1990, 1996)
5. Reversal Theory (*not in text)
   – (Kerr, 1985. 1997)

Question 2

Drive theory

Answer 2

As arousal increases performance increases, limited support because it doesn’t actually work, it’s not that sim

Question 3

Inverted U hypothesis

Answer 3

As physiological arousal increases, performance improves but only up to a certain point, after which performance will decline

Limitations, we don’t always perform best at the midpoint

Individuals are different

Question 4

Individualized Zones of Optimal Functioning

Answer 4

Optimal intensity state anxiety zone varies among
athletes.

Question 5

Individualized Zones of Optimal Functioning: Theory is important for understanding:

Answer 5

Theory is important for understanding:

1. How relationship between arousal/anxiety and
   performance differs between athletes
2. That arousal/anxiety is not always detrimental to
   sport performance
3. Optimal level doesn’t necessarily need to be at the
   mid-point
   • Optimal level varies from person to person
4. Bandwidth optimal “zones”, not a specific “point”

Question 6

What is the Cusp Catastrophe Theory?

Answer 6

Cusp Catastrophe Theory (Fazey & Hardy, 1988) describes the combined influences of cognitive state anxiety and physiological arousal on performance, recognizing that athletic performance is complex.

Question 7

What are the predictions of Cusp Catastrophe Theory regarding anxiety and arousal? (Prediction 1-3)

Answer 7

Predictions:
1. When cognitive state anxiety is low, the relationship
between physiological arousal and performance is an inverted-U shape.

2. When physiological arousal is low, elevations in cognitive
   state anxiety are associated with enhanced performance
   relative to baseline.
3. When physiological arousal is high, elevations in cognitive
   state anxiety are associated with performance declines.

Question 8

What are the predictions of Cusp Catastrophe Theory regarding anxiety and arousal? (Prediction 4)

Answer 8

4. When cognitive state anxiety is high, the effects of
   elevations in physiological arousal can be positive, but only
   to a certain point.

 High cognitive state anxiety and moderately low physiological
arousal = good performance

 Implies high cognitive anxiety is not always detrimental to
performance

 If able to sustain moderately low levels of physiological arousal, an
increase in worry and concern can function to enhance performance

Question 9

What are the predictions of Cusp Catastrophe Theory regarding anxiety and arousal? (Prediction 5)

Answer 9

5. When physiological arousal is moderately high and
   cognitive state anxiety is high, it predicts a dramatic
   performance drop (a catastrophe) will occur.
    Catastrophe doesn’t usually occur with low cognitive state anxiety.

 Thus, cognitive anxiety determines the effect of physiological arousal on
performance.

 To improve performance after a “catastrophe” a decrease in
physiological arousal is needed (not enough to just decrease anxiety
levels)

Question 10

Cups Catastrophe Theory (take home message)

Answer 10

Physiological arousal can have different effects on performance,
depending on the amount of cognitive anxiety one is experiencing.

• Some support, but very difficult to test model

Need to manage both physiological arousal and cognitive
anxiety!!!

Question 11

Reversal theory

Answer 11

How arousal affects performance depends on an individual’s interpretation of their arousal level.

Arousal can be interpreted as pleasant (excitement) or as unpleasant (anxiety).
– Arousal interpreted as pleasant facilitates performance.
– Arousal interpreted as unpleasant hurts performance.

• Athletes are thought to make “reversals” – shifts in their
interpretations of arousal

Can go from positive to negative
• We can try to promote positive interpretations

Question 12

Catastrophe Theory vs Reversal Theory

Answer 12

Both the Catastrophe Theory and Reversal Theory suggest that the interaction between physiological
activation and arousal-related thoughts appear to be more important than absolute levels of each.

Catastrophe Theory focus on Physiological arousal and cognitive anxiety

Reversal Theory focus on Physiological arousal and somatic state anxiety

Question 13

Why is it important to learn about these theories, especially when some don’t have much support?

Answer 13

We don’t want to repeat what has already been done

Question 14

Mechanisms of the Anxiety-Performance
Relationship (Attentional , how it affects performance)

Answer 14

• Competitive anxiety affects the amount and type of info that is attended to (task relevant vs
task irrelevant) and type of cognitive processing (conscious control vs automatic)

• Attentional Focus and Selectivity Hypothesis

• Type of information processed

• “Paralysis by analysis”

Question 15

Mechanisms of the Anxiety-Performance
Relationship (physiological)

Answer 15

• Anxiety related changes to the functional patterns of muscle activation

• Impacts dexterity and fine motor control (gross movements often more immune)

• May impact through changes in tension, coordination, fluidity of movement

Question 16

Choking

Answer 16

An acute, significant decrement in performance
that occurs during situations of high pressure or anxiety.

When they have a big drop in performance from high pressure and high anxiety situation