Chapter 5 - Arousal, Stress and Anxiety

Multidimensions of anxiety trait, state, Cognitive and somatic components

A trait and a state component & A cognitive and somatic component Spielberger sees anxiety as a personal characteristic

Too much Anxiety results in

tension Inefficient activity Difficulty making decisions Negative focus Reduced enjoyment Reduced Self confidence

Anxiety

"negative emotional state characterized by nervousness, worry and apprehension. Associated with activation or arousal of the body." Anxiety is multidimensional in two different directions. Like all other emotions, anxiety has a trait component and state component pg78 as well as a cognitive and somatic component

Arousal

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Difference between Stressors and Stress - Overview of the Stress Process

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Emotions Including Anxiety and Fear

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Multidimensions of anxiety / trait, state, Cognitive, and somatic components

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Symptoms of Anxiety / Physiological / Cognitive / Emotional and Behavioral

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Trait Anxiety

A predisposition to perceive certain environmental situations as threatening and to respond to these situations with increased state anxiety (often inappropriate). Part of the personality Trait Anxiety means that someone is more vulnerable to anxiety and therefore likely to consider many situations as anxiety provoking

Fear

An emotion, similar to anxiety, fear would be the reaction to a specific observable danger. Pg 76

Individual Zone of Optimal Functioning

An idiographic model that proposes that an athletes IZOF can be identified and as long as the athlete remains within the optimal level. His or her performance can be expected to be optimal. The main theory of IZOF is that it is not a theory but a descriptive model; thus it does not explain why some people function better in uncertain emotional states and others do not.

Emotion

An organized psycho-physiological reaction to ongoing relationships with the environment. Most often, but not always, interpersonal or social.

Anxiety

Anxiety can manifest itself in the athlete in two key areas- precompetition and competition

Anxiety

Arises in response to a competitive situation - perception of a threat to an essential value. One of many emotions that may arise to a competitive situation - great influence upon athletic behavior. "Apprehension occurs when one perceives a threat to some value considered essential. Threat may be physical (injury) psychological (shame) or interpersonal (loss of respect). Pg 76 Also defined as " Negative emotional state characterized by nervousness, worry and apprehension. Associated with activation or arousal of the body."

Stressors

Factor or Events, real or imagined, that elicit a state of stress. (Ex waiting to find out if you make the team)

Drive Theory

High Performance Linear straight line Low. Arousal/state. High

Intensity

Intensity falls along a continuum ranging from bit at all aroused (sleeping) to completely aroused (intense excitement) low to high.

Emotional Symptoms

Irritability Negative affect Outbursts; crying and anger

State Anxiety

Is an immediate emotional state that is characterized by apprehension, fear, tension and an increase in physiological arousal. Temporary, ever changing emotional state of subjective consciously perceived feelings. Some people get anxious before a test, when they have speak in public, or before a competition.

Reversal theory

Micheal apter oroposes that the level of arousal is filtered by the perception one has of it. A low level of arousal, for the same person can at one time be perceived as pleasant when the person says he or she is bored. At the high end of the arousal spectrum we can perceive the snake level of physiological activation as anxiety (unpleasant hinders performance) or as excitement ( facilities performance pleasant) The theory states also states that individuals can alternate between these states at any moment. These changes are called Reversal.

Physiological Symptoms of Anxiety

Palpitation, acceleration accelerated HR Sweating trembling shaking Shortness of Breath Feeling of choking Chest pain or discomfort Nausea or abdominal Numbess or tingling Restlessness Feeling easily fatigued Increased muscle tension Sleep disturbance

Arousal

Physical level of activation of the person and intensity of the behavior. Blend of physiological and psychological activity in a person. Refers to the intensity dimension of behavior at a particular moment. Intensity falls along a continuum ranging from not at all aroused ( sleeping) to completely aroused (intense excitement). Low to High.

Stress

Physiological and psychological responses to the stressors. The physiological and emotional state of disruption caused by the pressure of an unanticipated disruptive, or stimulating event. (Ex agitation you feel when you have been cut out of the team)

Stress

The Cognitive Preception that one does not have the necessary resources to cope with he demands of a challenge

Cognitive Anxiety

Whenever you see the word Cognitive think thoughts Mental component of anxiety caused by such things as fear of negative social evaluation, fear of failure, and loss of self esteem I.e difficulty concentrating on making decisions

Somatic Anxiety

Whenever you see the word Somatic think physical Physical component of anxiety. Reflects the perception of such physiological responses as increased heart rate, respiration, and muscular tension. Sweaty palms, constant tapping on the foot. A full return to performance is not possible until one manages their anxiety, even if physical functioning is fully restored.

Behavioral Symptoms

Withdrawal, isolation Rumination Shifting of Activities Avoidance

How arousal and anxiety influence performance

Drive theory, Inverted U Hypothesis, Individual Zone of Optimal Functioning, Reversal Theory, Catastrophe Model

Inverted U Hypothesis

The theory states that optimal performance occurs at an intermediate level of arousal and that both very low and very high levels of arousal will result in impaired performance.

Catastrophe Theory

Theory states that as arousal increases beyond optimal level, performance drops rapidly and dramatically to lower levels. The fits with the experience of many coaches and athletes who have seen performers go from competing evenly against the opponent to suddenly being overtaken and losing the match in a matter of seconds.

Cognitive Symptoms of Anxiety

Uncontrollable worry or apprehensive expectation (possible becomes likely) Difficulty Concentrating Difficulty making Decisions