SP- Emotional Control Flashcards
Define arousal
combination of the physiological and psychological excitation that determines the intensity by a person’s behaviour
What does the inverted U theory suggest
There is an optimal level of arousal which varies according to personality, task complexity and level of ability
Describe how arousal is effected by personality type
a. Introverts have a sensitive RAS so cannot tolerate high levels of arousal
b. Extroverts seek RAS stimulation and perform best under higher levels of arousal
Describe how arousal is effected by task complexity
a. Simple, gross tasks (e.g. shot put) requiring little decision making and are performed well with high levels of arousal
b. Complex skills (e.g. pole vault) requiring high levels of concentration and will be performer best at low levels of arousal
Describe how arousal is effected by the level of ability
a. Autonomous stage learners need high levels of arousal to perform optimally
b. Cognitive stage learners need low levels of arousal to concentrate on the basic moves
Define stress
a state of psychological tension produced by certain perceived physiological and/or psychological pressures facing the performer
Give 4 stressors
• Conflict -Between club/school/family pressures • Competition -Trials, nationals etc • Frustration -Loosing, biased umpires • Personal -Naturally anxious, unrealistic expectations • Physiological -Extreme weather, injury • Audience -Evaluation
What is the name for beneficial stress
Eustress
Define anxiety
a negative emotional state associated with feelings of worry and nervousness
What are the 4 types of anxiety
Cognitive
Somatic
State
Trait
Describe cognitive anxiety
a. Thought component of anxiety associated with worry and concern about capability to achieve a task
b. Worry increases as the performer perceives that the body’s physiological response to stress will have a negative effect on performance
Describe somatic anxiety
a. Physiological component of anxiety associated with performers increase in HR and BP
Describe state anxiety
a. Moment to moment changes in feelings of nervousness or worry. A temporary emotional state to a situation deemed as threatening
b. E.g. free position in lacrosse
Describe trait anxiety
a. General predisposition to perceive situations as threatening. Stable part of personality which determines the degree of state anxiety experienced
What is a sport competitive anxiety test
A sport specific test (questionnaire) of trait anxiety which may help coaches to predict the likelihood of athletes suffering from state anxiety in sport.
What is the competitive state anxiety inventory
A multidimensional view considering both cognitive and somatic anxiety.
What does the competitive state anxiety inventory suggest
Somatic anxiety increases dramatically just prior to performance, but drops when performance starts. Cognitive anxiety builds up over days prior to the event and can fluctuate according to perceptions of success or failure
What does optimal functioning suggest
Each individual has a preferred level of state anxiety that results in the best performance. Rather than an optimal point, there is a bandwidth and performance with levels of anxiety within the band will result in optimal functioning
Define the peak flow experience
Sometimes the timing of the movements and selection of tactics is perfect and the athlete seems unable to do wrong
Give 3 characteristics of the peak flow experience
- Total task concentration
- Clear goals
- Performance feels effortless
- Feeling of being in control
- Performance is automatic
What factors have the development of peak flow experience
- Controlling anxiety to access the performers IZOF
- Sustaining concentration- best when anxiety is low
- Attentional styles- identifying one required and match it
- Improves confidence through correct attribution, early experience and success
- Improves group dynamics to create a shared sense of purpose
- Challenging goal setting but still realistic- SMARTER
- Leadership style matching preferred style
- Environmental conditions need to be good
What are the two types of anxiety management techniques
Cognitive
Somatic
What are the 3 types of somatic anxiety management
- Biofeedback
- Progressive muscular relaxation
- Breathing
Describe biofeedback
o Being attached to a machine which measures HR, Breathing rate, muscle tension, skin temperature, blood pressure etc
o Through practice, the performer can learn to control these responses and transfer these techniques to the game situation
Critically evaluate biofeedback
It is very effective
Time consuming to learn
Requires sophisticated machinery
Describe PMR
Performers’ learn to tense and then relax specific muscle groups to develop awareness of what tension feels like to relax in a game
Critically evaluate PMR
With practice, its relatively quick
Needs a quiet environment
Can’t be used in isolation
Describe breathing
Controlling breathing rate prior to performance to reduce muscular tension and focus the mind
Critically evaluate breathing
Needs practice
Can be performed during performance
May help attentional control
What are the 4 cognitive techniques for anxiety management
Imagery
Self-talk
Thought stopping
Rational thinking
Describe imagery
o External imagery- performer pictures themselves performing task successfully as others would see them
o Internal imagery- performer pictures themselves performing task successfully as they would see the situation themselves
Critically evaluate imagery
Need to be a skilled athlete to benefit from this
Increases confidence
Combines psychological and neurological actions so motor neurones fire as though the skill were being completed
Develops kinaesthetic awareness
Improves concentration
Needs to be practices regularly
Describe self-talk
Maintaining a positive focus by talking to themselves e.g. I can do it
Critically evaluate self-talk
Important to focus on positive thoughts
Speaking aloud commits the performer to the task
Describe thought stopping
Refusing to allow negative thoughts and replacing them with more positive ones
Critically evaluate thought stopping
Need short cue words to trigger positive thoughts
Easier for extroverts than introverts
Describe rational thinking
o Focusing with an internal narrow attentional style can help to dispel anxiety in some situations e.g. previous success
Critically evaluate rational thinking
Needs athletes to attribute correctly
Difficult for cognitive performers to evaluate the situation realistically