Anxiety

Question 1

What are the 5 types of anxiety?

Answer 1

1 - Cognitive
2 - Somatic
3 - Trait 
4 - State
5 - Competitive

Question 2

Describe cognitive anxiety

Answer 2

This is the psychological component of anxity. They may be vague unpleasant thoughts a performer may develop - usually associated with concerns about underachieving

Question 3

Name the negative effects of cognitive anxiety

Answer 3

1 - Confusion
2 - Irrational thoughts
3 - Lack of concentration

Question 4

Describe somatic anxiety

Answer 4

This is the psychological response of the body to the performer’s cognitive anxiety

Question 5

Give examples of the effects of somatic anxiety

Answer 5

1 - Increased heart rate and blood pressure
2 - Sweating
3 - Queasy feeling in stomach
4 - Clammy hands

Question 6

Describe trait anxiety

Answer 6

Trait anxiety is INNATE and is a personality trait that is constant.

Question 7

A person with a high level of trait anxiety tends to…

Answer 7

• Be generally predisposed with high cognitive and somatic anxiety
• Generally react to situations with a very high and often disproportionate level of state anxiety
• Tend to view competitive situations as threatening

Question 8

What is trait anxiety also known as?

Answer 8

A-Trait

Question 9

Describe state anxiety

Answer 9

This is situation specific anxiety. It can vary in intensity from situation to situation and at various times within a certain situation. State anxiety is temporary

Question 10

What is state anxiety also known as?

Answer 10

A-State

Question 11

How are state and trait anxiety related?

Answer 11

A performer with high trait anxiety is likely to perceive more situations as threatening and so is more likely to exhibit high levels of state anxiety, so trait anxiety affects state anxiety

Question 12

How does cognitive anxiety affect performance?

Answer 12

LOOK AT GRAPH IN BOOKLET
There is a negative linear relationship between cognitive anxiety and performance - the lower the cognitive anxiety the better the performance

Question 13

How does somatic anxiety affect performance?

Answer 13

LOOK AT GRAPH IN BOOKLET

Moderate levels of somatic anxiety produce the best performance (same curve as inverted-u theory)

Question 14

What is cognitive and somatic anxiety like before a competition and during a competition?

Answer 14

LOOK AT GRAPH IN BOOKLET
Before competition…
-Cognitive effects tend to appear first, in the days before the competition. Tends to remain high until onset of exercise
-Somatic anxiety is low leading up to the event, but then rises quickly in the hours before the competition

During competition…

• Somatic anxiety tends to decrease during competition
• Both may fluctuate during significant parts of the competition e.g. if a penalty is awarded, a goal is scored etc

Question 15

Describe competitive anxiety

Answer 15

This is sport specific anxiety - sufferers tend to see competitive situations as threatening

Question 16

Describe competitive anxiety

Answer 16

performer GENERALLY perceives competitive situations as threatening

Question 17

Describe state anxiety

Answer 17

different levels of anxiety during specific situations

Question 18

What is an STAI and what does it measure?

Answer 18

State Trait Anxiety Inventory - it is a questionnaire that measures trait anxiety

Question 19

What is the importance of measuring anxiety?

Answer 19

It is important that coaches are aware of anxiety levels as these can negatively affect a performance - they can use techniques to lower anxiety levels if they are too high

Question 20

What are the 3 main methods of measuring anxiety?

Answer 20

1. Self-Report questionnaire - this involves giving short written answers to questions that can be standardised on a scale to compare results e.g. SCAT
2. Observation - here the researcher watches the players in action and notes aspects of their behaviour
3. Physiological responses - the player is wired up to a monitor such as a heart rate meter, and accurate readings of responses to exercise or stress are taken

Question 21

What is an SCAT and what does it measure?

Answer 21

Sports Competition Anxiety Test - measures competitive anxiety

Question 22

What are the advantages and disadvantages of self-report questionnaires?

Answer 22

Advantages:

• Quick
• Easy to complete
• Lots of information
• Easy to compare individuals

Disadvantages:

• Honesty of answers
• Time of day and mood can affect answers
• Limited number of answers
• Misunderstanding of questions
• Personality of tester can affect answers

Question 23

What are the advantages and disadvantages of and observation?

Answer 23

Advantages:
- True to life (in a sport setting)

Disadvantages:

• Completing observations is time consuming
• If the performer knows they’re being observed they may alter their behaviour
• The information collected is subjective and is open to observer bias
• Need to know normal behaviour patterns

Question 24

What are the advantages and disadvantages of physiological measures?

Answer 24

Advantages:

• Quantitative, objective data
• Collects accurate data

Disadvantages:

• Restrictive to performance
• Impractical
• Can causes anxiety

Question 25

Why is goal setting beneficial? (8 points)

Answer 25

``` 1 - Allows targets to be met 2 - Reduces anxiety and stress 3 - Controls arousal levels 4 - Provides motivation 5 - Improves confidence 6 - Allows attention to be directed to key elements of performance 7 - Sustains effort 8 - Regulates effort ```

Question 26

Name and explain the 4 types of goals using examples

Answer 26

Outcome goals - are related to the end result e.g. win race, win match Task orientated goals - improving without necessarily winning Performance goals - concerned with performance judged against other performances e.g. run a personal best time Process goals - concentrate on performer's technique and tactics i.e. what a performer has to do to be more successful e.g. bring right arm back further to throw javelin further

Question 27

What is a SMARTER goal? Describe what each letter means

Answer 27

Specific - clear and set for individual performer and their sport, not general Measurable - gives information about success which will motivate performer Achievable - Realistic - goals should not be too or too hard as a performer may not try to their fullest Time-bound - goals should be split into short term goals and long term goals. This step-by-step approach over a period of time ensures that goals remain realistic and achievable Evaluate - look at successes and failures. The performer and coach should evaluate how and when the goal was achieved Re-do - revisit the failures. If the goal hasnt been achieved then new targets should be set