Stress, anxiety and performance theoretical explanations Flashcards
What ‘variables’ does Drive Theory consider and what explanation does it provide regarding the relationship between them?
Arousal and performance
Performance improves as arousal increases (direct and linear relationship) for well-learned habits
If a skill is complex/not well-learned, arousal will decrease performance
What variables does the inverted U hypothesis describe the relationship between?
Arousal and performance
What are the strengths and weaknesses of Drive Theory?
Strengths:
1. Logical and intuitively sensible
Weaknesses:
1. Only applies for a limited range of tasks
2. The concept of arousal is not well defined and is used interchangeably with anxiety
3. Linear relationship (and continual increase in performance) does not appear reasonable
4. Doesn’t explain choking
5. Performance is usually more complex than simple tasks - predictions are limited
What are the strengths/weaknesses of the inverted U hypothesis?
Strengths:
1. Logical that performance can suffer if under-aroused or choked
2. Consistent support for theory (Martens and Landers 1970, Sonstroen and Bernardo 1982)
Weaknesses:
1. Definition of arousal is imprecise (used collectively with anxiety)
2. No tested explanation of how arousal night affect performance
3. Symmetric shape does not match experience of rapid performance deterioration
4. Suggests simple arousal reduction returns performance to optimal state which does not match experience
5. Doesn’t recognise multi-dimensional nature (mental/physical) of arousal/anxiety
What is the definition of hedonic tone?
The trait underlying the characteristic ability to feel pleasure
Qu: in reversal theory this seems to relate to the state the individual is in at any particular time)
What is the basic contention of reversal theory?
What branch of psychology theory does this fall within?
The relationship between arousal and effect (emotion) depends on one’s cognitive interpretation of one’s arousal level
(In reversal theory) what is a metamotivational state?
What are the key characteristics of metmotivational states?
The frame of mind concerning how one interprets one’s motivations
These:
- occur in pairs
only one is present at any one time
What are the metamotivational states concerning arousal?
How can each of these be described?
What is their relationship with arousal?
What would best describe the emotional state in each, with high arousal?
Telic
- seriousness towards a goal
- arousal avoiding
- high arousal = anxiety
Paratelic
- playfulness
- arousal seeking
- high arousal = excitement
Give two examples of reversal with respect to different time periods
- Over a period of time:
- nothing to do on a Saturday afternoon (relaxing to boredom) - Instantaneous
- surfing (enjoyment to fear)
What are the axes of the graph depicting reversal theory
What are the emotions in the 4 quadrants of the graph?
Arousal (x-axis low to high)
Hedonic tone - interpretation) (y axis unpleasant to pleasant)
Boredom, Relaxation, Excitement, Anxiety (Clockwise from bottom left)
What is an implication of reversal theory for sport in practice?
Induce a reversal is experiencing debilitating emotions (e.g. feeling bored/under-aroused)
What are (3 ) weaknesses of reversal theory?
- Hard to test
- No suggestion as to how a reversal could be made in practice
- Some researchers believe an individual may not be in one metamotivational state but two, to varying degrees
Give an example of reversal theory, explaining its humanistic principles
2 parachutists on second jump:
1. 1st jump, first chute failed and had to use back-up
2. 1st jump uneventful
Parachutist 1 more likely to be in a telic (anxious) metamotivational state
Based on individual’s interpretations and experiences
Characteristics of “emotion”
- Stimulus specific
- Cognition dependent (resulting from appraisal)
- Short duration
- Somatic component
- Specific emotion congruent emotions are primed
Meaning of somatic
Affecting or characteristic of the body as opposed to the mind or spirit
