Effects of Anxiety on Sport Performance October 3, 2002.
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Transcript of Effects of Anxiety on Sport Performance October 3, 2002.
Effects of Anxiety on Sport Performance
October 3, 2002
Significant Theories
Drive Theory (Hull) Inverted-U (Yerkes & Dodson) Catastrophe (Hardy & Fazey) Multidimensional Anxiety (Martens,
Burton, & Vealey) Zone of Optimal Functioning (Hanin) Flow State (Csikszentmihalyi)
Drive Theory (Hull, 1943)
Most simplistic of the theories P = f(H, D) H = Dominant response D = Arousal level (drive)
Drive Theory
Increased arousal (drive) will elicit the dominant response
Response associate with strongest potential to respond is the dominant response
Drive Theory
Early in learning, or for complex tasks, dominant response is the incorrect response
Late in learning, or for simple tasks, dominant response is the correct response
Drive Theory - Problems
No predictive ability Too simplistic No consideration of skill type
(gross vs. fine) Differentiation between anxiety &
arousal?
Multidimensional Anxiety Theory(Martens, Burton, Vealey, 1990)
Focus on anxiety, not just arousal Distinction between cognitive &
somatic anxiety Cognitive anxiety always
detrimental to performance Somatic - beneficial OR detrimental Depends upon person
Inverted-U (Yerkes & Dodson, 1908)
Arousal/performance relationship is curvilinear
Arousal level for maximal performance varies: Task complexity # of decisions/responses increases
Inverted-U theory
Simpler tasks can be performed successfully under higher arousal levels than complex (examples?)
Importance of performer’s skill level
Klavora (1977); Sonstroem & Bernardo (1982)
Inverted-U: Problems
Inability to precisely measure arousal Equates anxiety with arousal Circular reasoning Overly simplistic WHY?? Measurement issues: How much can
arousal levels be increased--legally & ethically?
Catastrophe Theory (Hardy & Fazey, 1987)
Questions idea that small changes to arousal = small changes in perf.
If anxiety/arousal reach debilitating levels, catastrophic results may occur (Greg Norman)
Cognitive vs. somatic anxiety differences
Catastrophe Theory
Cognitive anxiety is low, somatic & performance follow inverted-U
Cognitive anxiety high, somatic & performance are inverted-U to a point
What happens after the “catastrophe”?
Catastrophe Theory
Research is supportive of this relationship, however…
Testing is difficult Predictions?
ZOF (Hanin, 1980)
Individual’s optimal pre-competition psychological profile in relation to anxiety
Too far from optimal = lower performance
Equivalent of individual’s optimal state anxiety score +/- .5 standard deviations (CSAI)
Weaker opponents?
ZOF
Each athlete has individual ZOF Bandwidth of optimal function Situational or personal factors
(task type/athletic experience) cannot predict optimal zone
Cognitive anxiety or physiological ?
ZOF
Research generally supports Better predictor than inverted-U Problems
No explanation of how ZOF develops Why are best performances more
likely in optimal zone?
State of Flow (Csikszentmihalyi)
“Flow is a state of optimal experiencing involving total absorption in a task, and creating a state of consciousness where optimal levels of functioning often occur” (Jackson, 1995, p. 138)
Autotelic experience - an activity performed because it is it’s own reward
Defining Characteristics of Flow
Requirement of skill/challenge balance
Merging of action/awareness Clearly defined goals Clear, unambiguous feedback Total concentration on skill being
performed
Defining Characteristics of Flow
Paradox of control Loss of self-awareness Loss of time awareness Autotelic experience Combination of emotional high and
personal best performance
Flow - Skill & Challenge Relationship
Flow = skilled but challenged Anxiety = challenged, but fears
level of skills Apathy = low skill level, low
challenge Boredom = skilled, but
unchallenging
Can Anxiety Benefit Performance?
Most research suggests anxiety is detrimental to performance
Labeling of info is important Muscle tension = preparedness? “Concern about performing well”? Imprecise measurement of what
anxiety is for athletes