Arousal and anxiety

Question 1

Arousal

Answer 1

state of alertness or readiness of an individual to perform a task, motivating to behave in a particular way

Question 2

Extroverts

Answer 2

lower levels of arousal
seek situations of high arousal

Question 3

Introverts

Answer 3

seek low arousal situations

Question 4

Drive theory

Answer 4

linear relationship between arousal and performance

gross skills

more arousal = more likely learn skill/dominant response reproduced

Question 5

• drive theory

Answer 5

too simplistic
fails to address top performers fail under high arousal situations (choke)
fails to recognise diff levels of arousal for diff skills

Question 6

Inverted U theory

Answer 6

performance will improve with arousal up to an optimal level after which will start to deteriorate

Question 7

Optimal level depend on:

Answer 7

1. type - gross = high arousal fine = low
2. skill - more skillful can be higher
3. personality - extrovert need higher

Question 8

• inverted u theory

Answer 8

not always gradual drop in performance but sudden when arousal too high
over arousal more likely to lead to vertical plummet in performance

Question 9

Zones of optimal function

Answer 9

an optimal zone in which a performer will achieve optimal performance

Question 10

Optimal zone depend on

Answer 10

1. type of skill
2. level of performance
3. personality of performer

Question 11

Peak flow theory

Answer 11

relationship between task demands and skill of performer

challenge and skill level both high

Question 12

Catastrophe theory

Answer 12

performance not always decline gradually after optimal level of arousal has been reached but can be dramatic decline (catastrophe)

Question 13

Trait anxiety

Answer 13

inbuilt part of personality

e.g., tendency to react to competitive situations with tension and apprehension

Question 14

State anxiety

Answer 14

emotional response to a specific situation

temporary/change

Question 15

Symptoms

Answer 15

1. somatic
2. cognitive

Question 16

Somatic symptoms

Answer 16

increase adrenaline, HR, BR, body temp
nausea

Question 17

Cognitive symptoms

Answer 17

apprehension
increased focus
worry
negative thoughts

Question 18

Stress

Answer 18

perceived in balance between the demands of the situation and the capability of meeting those demands

Question 19

Stress process

Answer 19

perception demands
environmental demands
actual behaviour
stress response

Question 20

Performance =

Answer 20

habit (skill level) x drive (arousal)

Question 21

Multidimensional anxiety theory

Answer 21

distinguishes between cognitive and somatic anxiety

once disruption happens athletes must regain control of arousal

Question 22

• control model of anxiety

Answer 22

not explain anxiety-performance relationship

Question 23

control

Answer 23

positive expectations
symptoms facilitative

Question 24

not control

Answer 24

negative expectations
symptoms interpreted as debilitative

Question 25

• individual zone of optimal functioning

Answer 25

not explain why some perform better when in certain emotional states and others don’t
not explain variation in performance for same athlete experiencing same emotion intensity

Question 26

• multidimensional anxiety theory

Answer 26

assumes cognitive anxiety is bad
assumes smooth decline in performance

Question 27

• catastrophe theory

Answer 27

difficult to test/research

can’t replicate intense arousal level in experimental setting

Question 28

Self-report measures

Answer 28

global measures
multidimensional measures
trait and state measures

Question 29

+ self-report questionnaires

Answer 29

cheap
no special training
easy to administer
can distinguish between different types of anxiety

Question 30

• self-report questionnaires

Answer 30

reponse bias/social desirable answers
difficult to compare other scores
not alwats articulate how feel
scale limiting

Question 31

Physiological measures

Answer 31

changes in HR
respiration
skin conductance
cortisol

Question 32

+ physiological measures

Answer 32

direct comparisons

quantifiable values

Question 33

• physiological meaures

Answer 33

expensive

require training

response not always reflection of anxiety

Question 34

How does arousal and anxiety influence performance?

Answer 34

muscle tension, aches, pains

coordination difficulties

attention narow and concentration

repsond to inappropriate cues

Question 35

Anxiety sensitivity

Answer 35

the extent of beliefs that anxiety symptoms or arousal can have harmful consequences

by exercising regularly = experience physiological stimuli = reduce levels of anxiety