Understanding Motivation and Arousal in Sports Psychology

Motivation

The direction and intensity of effort.

Two Components of Motivation

Direction of effort & intensity of effort.

Direction of Effort

Where a person chooses to focus their energy.

Example of Direction of Effort

A student choosing to study instead of watching TV.

Intensity of Effort

How much effort a person puts into a task.

5 Guidelines of Interactional Model of Motivation

1) Consider both person & situation, 2) Understand multiple motives, 3) Change environment to enhance motivation, 4) Influence motivation, 5) Behavior modification.

Achievement Motivation

A person's effort to master a task, achieve excellence, or outperform others.

Competitiveness

A disposition to strive for satisfaction in competitive situations.

Intrinsic Motivation

Motivation driven by internal rewards (e.g., enjoyment, personal growth).

Extrinsic Motivation

Motivation driven by external rewards (e.g., money, trophies).

Need Achievement Theory

Explains motivation through personality and situational factors influencing success and failure.

Attribution Theory

How people explain their successes and failures (e.g., ability, effort, luck).

3 Factors in Achievement Goal Theory

Achievement goals, perceived ability, and achievement behavior.

Outcome Goal Orientation

Focusing on winning or comparing to others.

Example of Outcome Goal Orientation

A runner aiming to finish first in a race.

Task Goal Orientation

Focusing on personal improvement and skill mastery.

Example of Task Goal Orientation

A weightlifter aiming to lift heavier than last time.

Competence Motivation Theory

Emphasizes the need for competence and the role of feedback in motivation.

Arousal

A physiological and psychological state of alertness.

Measuring Arousal

Self-report measures and physiological indicators (e.g., heart rate, respiration).

Competition

A social process where rewards are given based on performance comparison.

Coakley (1994) on Competition

Rewards go to those who outperform others.

Cooperation

Working together for a shared goal.

Competition vs. Cooperation

Competition is about beating others; cooperation is about collective success.

Decompetition

A mindset where opponents view each other as rivals, not as equals.

Creator of Decompetition

Shields & Bredemeier.

Reason for Decompetition

To explain negative competitive behaviors.

Steps of the Competition Process

1) Objective competitive situation, 2) Subjective competitive situation, 3) Response, 4) Consequences.

Objective Competitive Situation

A situation where performance is compared against a standard or others.

Evaluating Objective Competitive Situation

Comparing against personal best, past performances, or competitors.

Example of Objective Competitive Situation

Comparing running time to high school best.

Example of Objective Competitive Situation

Nathan comparing batting average to a .500 goal.

Subjective Competitive Situation

How an individual perceives a competitive situation.

Influences on Subjective Competitive Situation

Personality, experience, and perceived ability.

SOQ (Sport Orientation Questionnaire)

Measures competitive orientation.

3 Types of Competitive Orientation (SOQ)

Competitiveness, win orientation, goal orientation.

Competitiveness (SOQ)

A desire to seek competition.

Win Orientation (SOQ)

Focused on outperforming others.

Goal Orientation (SOQ)

Focused on personal improvement.

Response in Competitive Process Model

Deciding to compete or not and the intensity of participation.

Not Pursuing Competition

The model cycle stops.

Ways to Respond to Competition

Behavioral (performance), psychological (mindset), physiological (arousal).

Consequence in Competitive Process Model

The result of competition, which affects future motivation.

More Important than Objective Outcome

The perception of the outcome.

Why Perception is More Important

It influences future motivation and confidence.

Highly Aroused Person's Physiological Response

Increased heart rate, sweating, tense muscles.

Arousal & Pleasant/Unpleasant Events

Arousal can be positive (excitement) or negative (anxiety).

Anxiety

A negative emotional state with worry and nervousness.

Does Anxiety Always Harm Performance?

No, it depends on interpretation and intensity.

Cognitive Anxiety

Worrying thoughts and mental stress.

Somatic Anxiety

Physical symptoms like sweating, nausea, or tension.

State Anxiety vs. Trait Anxiety

State is situational, trait is a long-term disposition.

Cognitive State Anxiety

Temporary mental distress in a situation.

Somatic State Anxiety

Temporary physical symptoms in a situation.

Self-Report Measures for Arousal

Surveys and questionnaires.

Physiological Signs of Arousal

Heart rate, breathing rate, muscle tension.

Using General Anxiety Measures for Sports?

No, sports require specific measures.

2 Sport-Specific Anxiety Scales

Competitive State Anxiety Inventory (CSAI-2) & Sport Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT).

Stress

An imbalance between demands and perceived ability to meet them.

4 Stages of Stress

1) Environmental demand, 2) Perception of demand, 3) Stress response, 4) Behavioral consequences.

Social Physique Anxiety

Worry about how others evaluate one's body.

Drive Theory

Higher arousal leads to better performance (only for well-learned tasks).

Limitations of Drive Theory

Doesn't explain performance drop due to over-arousal.

Inverted-U Hypothesis

Performance improves with arousal up to a point, then declines.

Limitations of Inverted-U Hypothesis

Too simplistic, doesn't account for individual differences.

IZOF (Individual Zones of Optimal Functioning)

Each person has a unique optimal arousal level.

Difference Between IZOF & Inverted-U

IZOF allows for individual variation, while Inverted-U is universal.

Facilitative Anxiety

Anxiety that enhances performance.

Debilitative Anxiety

Anxiety that harms performance.

What Determines Anxiety Perception?

The athlete's confidence and coping skills.