Stress and Arousal

Question 1

Which of the following is true of psychological skills training?

a. It is a quick fix that can be implemented close to competition.

b. It is most effective when approached systematically, like physical training.

c. There is no ‘one best approach’ - different approaches work better for different athletes.

d. All of the above.

e. B &C

Answer 1

e. B &C

Question 2

NORMALIZING

Answer 2

understanding your stress and not trying to get rid of it, but live with it and deal with it

Question 3

STRESS
WHAT IS IT:
*
* …. interaction

TYPES OF STRESS RESPONSES:
*
*
*
*

STRESSORS: Can be acute or chronic
*
*
*
*

Answer 3

WHAT IS IT:
* Physiological, cognitive, emotional, or behavioural reactions when faced with demands - stress response occurs when situation is appraised to be beyond our resources
* Person-situation interaction

TYPES OF STRESS RESPONSES:
CEPB
* Cognitive(negative thoughts)
* Emotional(anger)
* Physiological - arousal(tension)
* Behavioural(nervous)

STRESSORS: Can be acute or chronic
PSOS
* Personal
* Sport (competitive, non-competitive)
* Organizational
* Situational

Question 4

Cognitive Motivational Relational Theory (CMRT, Lazarus)

Stress response:
1.
2. a and b
3.
4.

Answer 4

Stress Response:
E. A. S. I

1.Environmental demand. Free throw

2.Appraisal of demand
final or practice?

a.Primary( what is at stake, final game?) & Secondary(can i deal with it, my resources)

b.Challenge(opportunity) or threat(what if I miss I’ll die)

3.Stress response

4.Impact on performance
help or harm. concentration increases. Facilitating

Question 5

Arousal *

• KEY:

Answer 5

Arousal * Physiological and psychological ACTIVATION that varies on a continuum

• KEY: Arousal on its own is not positive or negative - we interpret it

Question 6

Anxiety
WHAT IS IT
*
* Manifests as a) , and b)

• Trait vs. state anxiety

KEY
* While anxiety is perceived as

Answer 6

• A negative emotion in reaction to perceived stress concerning performance under pressure - situation specific
• Manifests as a) cognitive, and b) somatic(bodily)
• Trait vs. state anxiety
  state is one off in the moment, a ski jump.
  Trait is predisposed to feel bad anxiety

KEY
* While anxiety is perceived as a negative emotion, it doesn’t necessarily have a negative impact on performance

Question 7

Individualized Zones of Optimal Functioning
IZOF

what is it?
both positive and negative emotions can…
a … not a ….

Answer 7

• Individual variance in how athletes interpret anxiety in relation to their performance (facilitative vs. debilitative)
• Both positive and negative emotions can facilitate or debilitate performance
• Not a single point, but a range
• Link to self-awareness

Question 8

Stress is…

Anxiety is…

arousal is …

Answer 8

Stress is response to the situation

Anxiety is emotional reaction within the stress response

arousal is part of the stress response. how activated you are