SP Flashcards
Definition of arousal
The state of alertness/activation or readiness of an individual to perform a task, level of arousal varies on a continuum from deep sleep to extreme excitement
Somatic symptoms of arousal
Increase in andrenaline, increase in HR and BR, increase in sweat, nausea, need to urinate
Name cognitive symptoms of arousal
Increase in concentration, increase focus, quicker reaction time, heightened awareness
Factors in sport which increase arousal
Level of competition, prizes/rewards, crowds watching, importance of event, not playing well
Describe hull’s drive theory
Increased arousal caused increased drive which causes increased performance for autonomous performers but decreased performance for cognitive performers
Disadvantages of Hull’s drive theory
Doesn’t take into account the individuals differences such as personality, some simple skills are performed well at low arousal,doesn’t take into account the idea that performer may lose motivation
Describe inverted u theory
-performance improves with arousal up to a point(the optimal point) where increased levels of arousal after this point brings about a decrease in performance.
What three factors affect the optimal point of arousal
-personality type of the performer
-skill level of the performer
-type of activity/skill
Good and bad points of the inverted u theory
-simple and easy to apply
-recognises that the optimal levels can differ due to the different factors
-does not take into account how athletes can recover after over arousal
-limited view of the relationship between arousal and performance
Describe catastrophe theory
Increased arousal causes an increase in performance. However after optimal arousal and anxiety a catastrophe can occur. This can be recovered using stress management techniques
What is the RAS and what is the function of it
The reticular activating system controls and measures the levels of adrenaline in the body
Good and bad points of the catastrophe theory
-explains why performers choke
-takes into account that the performer can recover by lowering arousal
-Doesn’t take into account different personality types,level of performer, type of skill
-not true that optimum arousal has a mid-way point
Describe the zone of optimal functioning graph
Similar to inverted u in that as arousal increases so does performance until the zone of optimal funcitoning where an increase in arousal decreases performance. The ZOF can alter depending on personality type, type of skill, level of perfomer
Zone of optimal functioning is also called peak flow and it is a zone of anxiety free where few errors are made.
What is ZOF
Zone of optimal funcitoning- an energised yet controlled, frame of mind that is focused on the task
What is anxiety
A negative emotional state caused because a situation is threatening. Often arises in sport as a result of the performers perception of the situation
What is somatic anxiety
Physiological responses like sweating and shaking
What is cognitive anxiety
Psychological thoughts and worries
What is trait anxiety
A trait within an individual which measures their potential to react with apprehension. Genetically inherited
What is state anxiety
Anxiety felt in a particular situation or time and is linked to the performers mood
What is competitive state anxiety
Anxiety levels when in a specific competitive sporting situation
When does cognitive anxiety begin to increase before a performance
A week before performance
When does somatic anxiety increase before a performance
Just before the start of the performance
What is distress
A negative form of stress and in extreme causes cause anxiety and apprehension
What is Eustress
A positive form of stress and it gives a feeling of fulfilment and arousal. It increases focus, attention and skill level
Examples of sport specific stressors
Competition type, frustration, conflict between other commitments, personal (high A trait), physiological and climatic (hot day)
What is the proper name for fight or flight
General adaptive syndrome
What are the three stages of general adaptation syndrome
Alarm reaction stage, resistance stage, exhaustion/ collapse stage
What are the three methods of controlling cognitive anxiety
Imagery/visualisation/ mental rehearsal, positive self talk, goal setting
What are the three methods for controlling somatic anxiety
Muscle relaxation/progressive muscular relaxation, centring/breathing control, biofeedback
What is biofeedback and what are the different methods of measuring it
Information about changes in physiological variables. Eg. Heart rate, breathing rate, skin temperature, sweat production
What is personality
-those relatively stable and enduring aspects of individuals which distinguish them from other people, making them unique
-unique psychological make up
What is the trait approach to personality
Personality traits are stable, unchanging and enduring. These influence people to behave in certain ways and behaviour becomes predictable.
B=f(P)- behaviour is a function of personality
What is eysenick’s Trait theory
EPI-Eysenck personality inventory uses two dimensions:
Extroversion/introverison- reticular activating system
Stable/ neurotic- autonomic nervous system
What is catell’s trait theory
Cattlell’s- 16 personality factor questionnaires which assesses overall personality. It is a self report questionaire
What is type A and type B personalities
Type A- highly competitive, desire to succeed, need to be in control, prone to stress
Type B- Non-competitive, lacks desire to succeed, does not enjoy control, less prone to stress
What is Sheldon’s theory
Personality was categorised into three personalities based on physical makeup
What are the three catergories in Sheldon’s theory and what personality does this create
Endomorph- physically quite round and quite a lot of fat- sociable, fun loving, even tempered
Ectomorph- narrow shoulders and hips and are tall- self conscious, socially anxious, introverted
Mesomorph- muscular, broad shoulders and narrow waist- adventurous, competitive, extroverted
What is social learning theory
The idea that people’s personality and the way they behave changes according to their environment and the influence of behaviours of others
What does DARMMM stand for
Demonstration, attention, retention, motor reproduction, motivation, matching
What is the interactionist approach
A mixture of both social learning and trait theory. There is an influence of biological factors and also an influence of our environment
What is lewin’s approach
Traits are born and adapted and used according to the situation.
When the situation is strong- environment dictates behaviour eg. Important competiton
When the situation is weak- personality traits dictate behavoiur
What is Hollander’s model
The belief that our personality was a layered structure
Inner psychological core- fairly permanent values
Typical responses- typical responses to a situation
Role-related behaviours- changeable and dependant on situation
What is the formula for the interactionist approach
B=f(PE)
Advantages and disadvantages of self report questionnaires
-cheap/cost effective
-reliable
Numerical data
-quick/efficient
-demand characteristic
-weak validity
-difficult to self assess
Advantages and disadvantages of observation (personality test)
-personality is tested in the specific setting so high ecological validity
-subjects know they are being watched and may change their behaviour
-behaviour observed may mean different things to different observers
-reduces reliability and validity
Advantages and disadvantages of interviews (personality testing)
-gain and in depth understanding of the person
-reduces validity and reliability
-takes a lot of time
-response can change due to mood
-person interviewing the subject may cause anxiety which will affect responses to questions
What are the six moods on profile of mood states
Tension, depression, anger, vigour, fatigue, confusion
What is the credulous approach
When the link between personality and sporting success are accepted
What is the sceptical approach
When the link between personality and sporting success is doubted
What is achievement motivation
An individual’s drive to achieve success for its own sake
What are the two factors that affect a person’s level of achievement motivation
Personality and situational
What is NACH
A person is motivated to achieve success for feelings of pride and satisfaction
What is NAF
A person is motivated to avoid failure in order not to experience feeling of shame or humiliation
What levels of NACH and NAF do high achiever have
High levels of NACH and low levels of NAF
How would a coach increase NACH behaviour
-positive reinforcement
-increasing task difficulty
-choosing tasks everyone can achieve but that still challenge
-setting tasks that have a choice of difficulty
