Arousal, Stress & Anxiety

What is arousal in sport psychology?

A general physiological and psychological state of activation, ranging from deep sleep to intense excitement.

Define stress?

A process whereby perceived demands exceed an individual’s perceived ability to cope

Define anxiety?

A negative emotional state characterised by feelings of nervousness, worry, and apprehension, accompanied by physiological arousal

What is trait anxiety?

A stable personality disposition to perceive situations as threatening

What is state anxiety?

A temporary emotional response to a specific situation perceived as threatening

What is cognitive anxiety?

The mental component of anxiety, involving worry, negative thoughts, and self-doubt

What is somatic anxiety?

The physiological component of anxiety, such as increased heart rate and muscle tension

What does Drive Theory propose?

Performance increases linearly with arousal, particularly for well-learned skills

What is a key limitation of Drive Theory?

It cannot explain performance decrements at very high arousal levels

What is the Inverted-U Hypothesis?

Performance is optimal at moderate arousal levels and declines at low or high arousal

What is a criticism of the Inverted-U Hypothesis?

It oversimplifies the relationship and ignores individual differences

What is the Individual Zones of Optimal Functioning (IZOF) theory?

Each athlete has an optimal arousal zone for peak performance

What is the strength of IZOF theory?

It accounts for individual differences in optimal arousal

What is Catastrophe Theory?

A model proposing that performance drops suddenly when high cognitive anxiety combines with high physiological arousal

According to Catastrophe Theory, what is required for performance recovery?

A substantial reduction in physiological arousal

What model explains stress as a process?

Lazarus’ Cognitive-Motivational-Relational Theory

What is primary appraisal?

Evaluation of whether a situation is threatening, challenging, or irrelevant

What is secondary appraisal?

Evaluation of coping resources and options

How does cognitive anxiety typically relate to performance?

Negatively; increased worry is usually associated with poorer performamce

How does somatic anxiety relate to performance?

It tends to follow an inverted-U relationship

What is the SCAT used to measure?

Trait anxiety

What does the CSAI-2 measure?

Cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, and self-confidence

Why is understanding arousal important for coaches?

To help athletes regulate arousal to achieve optimal performance

Name one psychological technique used to manage anxiety

Relaxation, imagery, self-talk, or breathing control