B - Arousal, Stress, And Anxiety

Question 1

What is arousal?

Answer 1

A state of alertness and anticipation which prepares the body for action.

Question 2

What are the physiological signs of arousal?

Answer 2

Increased heart rate
Increased sweating rate
Increased respiratory rate

These signs indicate that the body is preparing for physical activity.

Question 3

How can under arousal affect performance?

Answer 3

Lack of effort
Slow to react
Poor decision making
Sloppy performance with uncharacteristic errors

Question 4

What is over arousal and its potential impacts?

Answer 4

Anxiety
Panic
Aggression
Negative thoughts
Muscular tension

Question 5

Name the four theories of arousal-performance relationship.

Answer 5

Drive theory
Inverted ‘U’ hypothesis
Catastrophe theory
Individual zones of optimal functioning (IZOF)

Question 6

Describe the Drive theory.

Answer 6

Drive theory suggests a linear relationship between arousal and performance, where increased arousal leads to improved performance.

Question 7

What does the Inverted ‘U’ hypothesis explain?

Answer 7

It explains that there is an optimal level of arousal for peak performance, with both under and over arousal leading to decreased performance.

Question 8

What does IZOF stand for?

Answer 8

Individual Zones of Optimal Functioning

Question 9

How does attentional focus change with arousal levels?

Answer 9

Low Arousal: Broad attentional field, picks up both relevant and irrelevant cues
Optimal Arousal: Focused attention on relevant cues
High Arousal: Narrowed attention can lead to performance deterioration

Question 10

What is choking in sports?

Answer 10

A form of underperformance where an athlete loses their nerve and fails to win despite being favourites.

Question 11

What is Eustress?

Answer 11

Good stress which provides energy and direction, motivating individuals to perform well.

Question 12

What is Distress?

Answer 12

Bad stress which can cause discomfort and lead to illness or depression.

Question 13

Define stress

Answer 13

Mental or emotional response of the body to any demand made on it

Question 14

What is the four-stage stress process?

Answer 14

1. Demand
2. Perception of demand by athlete
3. Increased arousal level
4. Outcome

Question 15

What is Anxiety?

Answer 15

A negative emotional state associated with worry, nervousness or apprehension

Question 16

What is Trait Anxiety?

Answer 16

Part of an athlete’s personality that leads to worry or fear in many situations.

Question 17

What is State Anxiety?

Answer 17

A temporary, ever-changing mood state that varies from situation to situation

Question 18

What are the three types of anxiety symptoms?

Answer 18

Cognitive, Somatic, and Behavioural

Question 19

What are Cognitive Symptoms of Anxiety?

Answer 19

Negative thoughts, nervousness, or worry about ability to complete a task

Question 20

What are Somatic Symptoms of Anxiety?

Answer 20

Physiological changes like increased heart rate, sweaty palms, and muscle tension

Question 21

What are Behavioural Symptoms of Anxiety?

Answer 21

How nerves affect behaviours, like fidgeting or moodiness

Question 22

What is Competitive Anxiety?

Answer 22

Feeling tense and inadequate in response to a competitive situation, which is often caused by fear of performance failure or negative social evaluation.

Question 23

What does Multidimensional Anxiety Theory suggest?

Answer 23

Somatic and cognitive anxiety affect performance in different ways and change before an event

Question 24

What is Reversal Theory?

Answer 24

Suggests that the perception of anxiety affects performance positively or negatively

Question 25

What are Internal Sources of Stress?

Answer 25

Being too self-critical Low self-esteem Anxiety Perfectionism Fear

Question 26

What are External Sources of Stress?

Answer 26

Environment (noisy/quiet) Major life events Financial issues Negative social interactions

Question 27

What is the Fight or Flight response?

Answer 27

A stress response that varies depending on the perceived threat and involves the sympathetic nervous system activating energy for confrontation or escape.

Question 28

What are some Arousal Control Techniques?

Answer 28

Relaxation techniques PMR Breathing Control Listening to music Positive statements

Question 29

What are the different types of aggression in sport?

Answer 29

Hostile Aggression Assertive Behaviour Instrumental Aggression Relational Aggression

Question 30

Define hostile aggression.

Answer 30

Aggressive behaviour with the sole intention of harming or injuring an opponent

Question 31

What is instrumental aggression?

Answer 31

Aggressive behaviour in pursuit of a non-aggressive goal

Question 32

What is relational aggression?

Answer 32

A non-physical form of aggression aimed at causing psychological or emotional harm

Question 33

What is the instinct theory of aggression?

Answer 33

Aggression is a natural response and a genetically inherited trait of violence

Question 34

Explain the social learning theory of aggression.

Answer 34

Aggression is a learned social behaviour through experiences, observing others, and copying them. This can be through personal experience, vicarious experiences, and verbal persuasion.

Question 35

What does the frustration-aggression hypothesis state?

Answer 35

Frustration always leads to aggression. It suggests that blocking goals increases an individual's drive, which can result in aggressive behaviour.

Question 36

What is catharsis in relation to aggression?

Answer 36

The release of frustration which leads to a feeling of well-being

Question 37

What is the adapted frustration-aggression hypothesis?

Answer 37

Frustration leads to increased arousal levels creating readiness for aggression, and then certain stimuli or environmental triggers must be present for aggression to occur.

Question 38

List some causes of aggression in sport.

Answer 38

Competitive pressure Trait anxiety Ego orientation Burnout

Question 39

What are the physiological signs of arousal?

Answer 39

Increased concentration Increased alertness

Question 40

What does it mean if an athlete is ‘in the zone’?

Answer 40

When the body is brought to peak condition and the mind is completely focused, even unaware of what it is doing. Also known as a ‘flow state’ and often indicates optimal arousal

Question 41

What is the dominant responses?

Answer 41

When arousal is increased the dominant response is present, which is when the behaviour or reaction that is most likely to occur, is present.

Question 42

What is the catastrophe theory?

Answer 42

If cognitive anxiety levels are high the arousal level has reached its threshold, meaning there is a sudden decline in performance.

Question 43

What is the IZOF theory?

Answer 43

This theory expands on the others, stating that each performer has a different optimal arousal level.

Question 44

What is the link between state and trait anxiety?

Answer 44

People with high trait anxiety will usually experience higher levels of state anxiety.

Question 45

What are cognitive anxiety symptoms?

Answer 45

Psychological changes such as negative thoughts, nervousness or worry.

Question 46

Define assertive behaviour.

Answer 46

Assertive behaviour is aggression within the rules of the game.