Sports Psychology - Arousal And Anxiety Flashcards
Define arousal.
An energised state, a readiness to perform.
What is the drive theory and what does it suggest.
The drive theory is a theory for arousal which states that as arousal in an individual increases, performance quality also increases in a linear fashion.
What is the formula for the drive theory?
P = f ( D x H)
What are the 3 theories which link arousal and performance quality?
- The drive theory
- The inverted - U theory
- The catastrophe theory
What is the optimal zone of functioning?
The area of controlled arousal and high performance quality.
What does the inverted U theory suggest about arousal and performance?
The theory suggests that increased arousal improves performance but only to a moderate level, where more arousal causes performance to suffer.
Why is a moderate level of arousal not always best for a performer?
This is because many sports require a high level of arousal such as boxing where if you have a moderate level of arousal, your performance will suffer.
What does the catastrophe theory suggest about arousal and performance?
The theory suggests that increased arousal improves performance to an optimal point but there is a dramatic reduction in performance quality when arousal increases beyond the optimal.
What are 6 ways which under arousal affects performance negatively?
- Social loafing
- Ringelman effect
- Slower reaction time
- Attentional wastage
- Attentional narrowing
- Failed to reach zone of optimal functioning
What are 6 ways over arousal impacts performance quality negatively?
- Slower reaction time
- Attentional wastage
- Attentional narrowing
- Failed to reach zone of optimal functioning
- Violence
- Break rules
Define attentional wastage.
When a performer’s concentration is misdirected to irrelevant cues
Define attentional narrowing
When a performer is aroused and focussed on certain cues and ignores others
What is social loafing
An individual loss of motivation in a team player
What is the ringelman effect
When a team’s performance decreases with group size
What is peak flow performance
The ultimate intrinsic experience felt by athletes from a positive mental attitude, with supreme confidence, focus and efficiency.
Three things felt during peak flow performance.
- Movement of skills feel effortless
- Physical and mental harmony
- High levels of confidence
What is the dominant response?
The response which is brought out more when an athlete’s arousal levels increase.
Who will have a better dominant response : an amateur or professional athlete?
The professional athlete
Define anxiety
Anxiety is a negative aspect of stress characterised by irrational thinking, loss of concentration and fear of failure.
What is the competitive trait anxiety.
A disposition to suffer nerves in most sporting situations due to their personality.
What is the competitive state anxiety?
Anxiety experienced at a specific time during a competitive situation. (Situation dependent).
List 5 characteristics of somatic anxiety.
- Physiological responses
- Shaking
- Pacing
- Sweating
- Increased HR
List the 5 characteristics of cognitive anxiety.
- Psychological responses
- Irrational thinking (nerves)
- Worrying
- Confusion
- Loss of concentration
List 5 causes of anxiety.
- Being watched
- Playing badly
- Injury
- Increased competition
- Letting the team down
What are the 3 ways anxiety can be measured?
1) Questionnaires
2) Observation
3) Physiological measures
What are the two positives of using a questionnaire to test anxiety?
- Quick, cheap and easy
- Results allow easy comparison
What are the 3 negatives of using a questionnaire to test anxiety?
- Inaccurate and untruthful answers may be given because people give socially acceptable answers.
- Misunderstanding of the questions can occur
- Answers may depend on mood
What are the two positives of using observation to test anxiety
- Cheap and easy
- True to life
What are the 4 negatives of using observation to test anxiety
- Based on observer’s opinion (subjective)
- Must know performer
- Time consuming
- Behaviour may change if they know they are being observed
What are the two positives of using physiological measures to test anxiety
- It is factual and allows clear comparisons
- Can be measured in real life situations
What are the 3 negatives of using physiological measures to test anxiety
- May need training to use the equipment
- Wearing the device may disrupt performance
- Equipment is expensive.
