Choking and Peak Performance in Sports

These flashcards cover key concepts related to choking, peak performance, flow, and decision-making in sports psychology.

Choking

A decrease in performance resulting from anxiety and low confidence, often characterized by not paying enough attention.

The Yips

A performance condition caused by excessive focus leading to disruption in movement, often experienced by athletes.

Naturalistic Decision Making

A cognitive approach to understanding how people tackle complex, non-routine situations based on context and cognition.

Flow

An optimal performance state where individuals perform at their best with great enjoyment, feeling completely immersed in the activity.

Clutch Performance

An above-standard performance under conditions of unusually high pressure.

Constraints to Attention

Factors that limit an athlete's capacity to focus, impacted by the balance of arousal and skill automation.

Arousal and Performance

Increased arousal can threaten the central nervous system, narrowing focus and potentially hindering performance.

Optimal Performance State

The mental condition where athletes operate at their peak, often referred to in terms like 'playing possessed, but in complete control.'