Anxiety Flashcards
Definition of anxiety
A negative aspect of stress characterised by irrational thinking, loss of concentration and a fear of failure
What is competitive trait ?
- A disposition to suffer nerves in most sporting situations
- Consistent
- Stable
- A player worrying before all games
- Anxious behaviour all the time
What is competitive state ?
- Anxiety experienced at a specific time during a competitive situation
- Situation dependent
- Temporary rush of anxiety
- Caused by threatening circumstances
What are the 2 different anxiety types ?
Somatic - physical response
Cognitive - mental response
Characteristics of somatic anxiety ?
- Physiological response
- Muscular tension
- Shaking
- Pacing
- Poor co-ordination
- Sweating
- Increased HR
Characteristics of cognitive anxiety
- Phycological response
- Irrational thinking - nerves
- Worrying
- Confusion
- Loss of concentration
What are the causes of anxiety ?
- Being watched
- Letting the team down
- Playing badly
- Injury
- Increased competition
- Running out of time when losing
What is SCAT ?
SCAT - Sport competition anxiety test
A question used by sport phycologists to measure anxiety
What are the positives of using a questionnaire to measure anxiety ?
Quick, cheap and easy
Results allow easy comparison
What are the negatives of using a questionnaire to measure anxiety ?
- Inaccurate answers / untruthful answers, people give socially acceptable answers
- Misinterpretation of question, lack of understanding
- Answers may depend on mood
- Questionnaire may be inappropriate and lead to bias answers being given
- Response can be influenced by the time taken to complete the questions (rushing)
What are the advantages of using observation to measure anxiety ?
True to life
During a real game
What are the disadvantages of using observation to measure anxiety ?
Behaviour may change when watched
Subjective
May need more than one observer
You need to know the performer
What are the advantages of using physiological methods to measure anxiety ?
Objective
Specific
Factual
Can be measured in real life situations
What are the disadvantages of using physiological methods to measure anxiety ?
May cause stress when measured
Training needed to use equipment
Expensive equipment
Device may restrict performer
