Chapter 9

Question 1

1. In s sentence each, summarize three important characteristics of our emotions and name the type of conditioning involved in each

Answer 1

1. Re reaction that one feels inside during the experience of an emotion, influenced by respondent conditioning
   Example: the butterflies an athlete feels before a competition
2. The way that one learns to outwardly express an emotion, influenced by operant conditioning
   Example: talking fast in animated fashion when nervous
3. How one becomes aware if and describes ones emotions (e.g. “I’m a little nervous,” as opposed to I’m really mad), influenced by operant conditioning

Question 2

3. Describe unconditioned reflexes (I.e., the USs and the URs) that appear to characterize the emotions of fear, Anger and joy.

Answer 2

1. Fear- US- sudden loss of support, loud sounds, sudden push
   UR- sudden catching of breath, clutching or grasping response, crying
2. Anger
   US- hampering an infants movement
   UR- crying, screaming, body stiffening
3. Joy
   US/ tickling, gentle rocking, patting
   UR- smiling, giggling, cooing

Question 3

4. In the experiment with little Albert, what was the US? The UR? The CS? The CR?

Answer 3

US- white Rat paired with loud banging
UR- crying due to fear of loud noise
CS/ white rat
CR- crying due to fear of sight of rat

Question 4

6. For each of the following emotions, identify a general cause and illustrate each cause with an example from your own experience

Answer 4

1. The presentation of reinforcers causes happiness. Ex. When I studied hard for final exams and score high it
2. Withholding or withdrawal of reinforcers causes anger.
   Ex. When I did all my assignments due the next day but I forgot my notebook so i scored a zero for that assignment it causes anger
3. Emotional experiences when we encounter events that may cause pain causes the emotion of anxiety. A personal example is when I went on a roller coaster for the first time, the danGergis event caused anxiety
4. Withdrawal of aversive or punishing events causes an emotion of relief. Ex. Forgetting to check the bus schedule thinking that I’ve already missed it but when I went to the bus stop and saw that it hasn’t gone yet it causes relief

Question 5

7. Describe four effects of excessive nervousness and tension and briefly explain why each effect might interfere with athletic performance at competitions

Answer 5

1. Exposure to threat causes of physiology changes within us to prepare us to deal with that threat. This might interfere with athletic performance because of narrowing of attention and is less likely to attend to important external cues
2. If consumes energy in the process of all those physiological changes. Although a burst of energy can enhance performance in short term athletic activities, the extra energy consumption can be problematic in endurance activities
3. It causes the adrenal gland to secrete Adrenalin which will cause the athlete to rush a skilled routine so that timing is thrown off
4. It adds additional stimulus to the competitive environment that were not likely present in the practice environment which interferes with stimulus generalization of a skill from practice to competition.

Question 6

12. Define or describe each of the following: deep center breathing, progressive muscle relaxation

Answer 6

1. Deep centre breathing - a martial arts procedure that emphasizes though control, a particular way of bear hunt and muscle relaxation. An athlete should first consciously relax the neck and shoulder muscles, breathe with stomach instead of chest and slowly whisper relax when exhaling
2. Progressive muscle relaxation- involves alternatively tensing and relaxing various muscle groups while attending closely to the sensations that are felt when the muscle are tender vs, relaxed

Question 7

13. Define chocking as the term is used in sports. Give an example

Answer 7

A critical deterioration in the execution of habitual processes as a result of an elevation of anxiety levels under perceived pressure, leading to substandard performance. An example would be when a swimmer commits his last false start before he gets an immediate disqualification and while getting ready for the next signal sounds to start the swimmer might think, “if I start leaving the starting block again and make another false start violation, I’ll let my coach down.

Question 8

14. Describe several strategies that might be used to minimize the likelihood of the occurrence of chocking in sports

Answer 8

1. Use cognitive reappraisal to cure a situation as an opportunity for a realistic challenge
2. Focus on what you can control don’t think about what you can’t control
3. Think about what you want to do, not what four don’t want to do
4. Just before performing, mentally review last instanced of successful performance
5. Focus on the process of competing not the possible outcomes
6. Structures the environment to tune out and prompt relaxing thoughts. Doing different activities or repeating something non-related to the game to take their mind off if it
7. Maintain a sense of humour. Athletes who are loose usually perform better than athletes who are tense

Question 9

15. list four steps that have characterized successful anger management programs with athletes

Answer 9

Step 1: identify anger-causing situations
Step 2: teach substitute behaviours to compete with anger
Step 3: practice the substitute behaviours using imagery and or simulations and or role playing
Step 4: use the coping skills in competitive situations with monitoring and or supportive contingencies