5. Arousal and Anxiety

Contents Stress Arousal Stressors Drive Theory Symptoms of stress Controlling anxiety- Cognitive Controlling anxiety- Somatic Social Facilitation Facilitation V Inhibition Effects of an Audience Coping with Inhibition Arousal Drive Theory Inverted U Theory Zone of Optimal functioning Anxiety Types of anxiety Catastrophe Theory

Arousal “A state of physical and mental preparedness for action” Strongly linked to Anxiety Reticular Activated System (RAS) causes arousal, Extroverts have higher natural levels, Introverts have lower.

Drive Theory Proposed a linear relationship between arousal and performance As arousal increases so will quality of performance Increased Arousal leads to increase in likelihood of Dominant response Well learnt skills rather than newly learnt Highly aroused performer will need to focus on Desired response if it is newly learnt

Inverted U Theory Performance increases up to a certain point Ernie Els Worst over ever? Lion's Team talk Performance increases up to a certain point Then it will drop off Where the optimum point is will depend upon… Type of activity Gross skills require higher than fine skills Skill level or performer More skilful will allow for higher levels of arousal Personality of performer More extrovert will need higher levels (RAS)

Zone of Optimal functioning Optimal arousal isn’t always at the midpoint of the inverted U, it will vary between Sportspeople An athlete’s best performance will be in the Zone (Not just a point) Performance Arousal Cognitive Associative Autonomous Performance Arousal Fine/ Complex Gross/ Simple

Anxiety “An emotional state often associated with fear Negative aspect of Arousal Displayed in both Cognitive (Psychological) and Somatic (Physical) ways

Types of anxiety State Anxiety in a specific situation (unstable) Feelings nervousness or apprehension to a specific event or situation. Will fluctuate throughout performance Elevated before the start of the game, Drop when they settle into the game Peak in the last few seconds. Trait Part of our personality (stable) Tends to… Be fearful in unfamiliar situations Perceive competitive situations as threatening Respond to competitive situations with Apprehension and tension.

Catastrophe theory A D C B Based upon Inverted U theory but differs in what happens during over arousal… Inverted U suggests gradual decline Catastrophe theory suggests much faster and more dramatic decline More of a model than a theory as it attempts to predict human behaviour rather than explain it Performance Arousal A B C D A- Performer reaches Optimum level of arousal High cognitive anxiety but low Somatic arousal B- Performer has sudden reduction in performance High cognitive and High Somatic arousal C- Possible that performance will continue to deteriorate D- Performer gradually regains control as arousal levels decrease Biggest sporting chokes

Stress “A response in the body to demands placed upon it” Symptoms are Psychological, Physiological and Behavioural

Stressors Stressors are the cause of stress, they can be grouped into… Social- Including disapproval, rejection or isolation (Significance of individual) Chemical- Ingestion of “nasty” substances Bacterial- Illness causes by micro-organisms Physical- Injury, pain or exhaustion Climatic- Extremes of weather Psychological- Mismatch in the demands of the task compared to perception

Symptoms of stress Physiological Decreased blood flow to skin Sweating Increased BP Increased HR Increased oxygen uptake Behavioural Rapid talking Nail biting Yawning Need to urinate Trembling Psychological Worry Feeling overwhelmed Inability to concentrate Inability to make decisions Attentional Narrowing

Controlling anxiety- Cognitive Attempts to move attention away from perceived failure -Controlling emotions to develop self confidence Imagery relaxation - Associated images of relaxation recalled - Used prior to competition Thought stopping - Substituting negative thoughts with positive - Thinking the word “Stop” as a control Visualisation (Mental Rehearsal) Rehearsing the image with no movement Aids concentration and confidence Takes focus away form situation Pre-Game routines Set of drills or practices simulating situation Hopes to create a rhythmic, relaxed and automatic response (“Entering the Zone”)

Controlling anxiety- Somatic Attempts to reduce the impact of the Somatic signs of anxiety Progressive Muscular relaxation (PMR) Focus on specific muscle groups, one at a time Tense muscle to maximal point Visualise tension flowing out of muscle Centering Focusing on Diaphragmatical breathing Famously used by John McEnroe Biofeedback Monitoring of a physiological variable which is affected by somatic anxiety… Thinking pleasant thoughts Diverting attention away from anxiety producing stimulus Only works if performer has already learned process

Social Facilitation The effect that the presence of spectators has on the way sports people perform. If positive- known as Social Facilitation If negative- known as Social Inhibition

Facilitation V Inhibition Higher levels of arousal result in improved performance… Expert performer Extrovert performer Gross skills Higher levels of arousal result in reduced performance… Novice performer Introvert performer Fine skills Other factors which determine the affect of the audience… Size of audience Proximity of audience Hostility of audience

Distraction techniques Top 10 distractions Curtain of distraction Effects of an Audience Zajonc’s Model The presence of others creates arousal This will increase chance of Dominant response Highly skilled Dominant response will be correct Lower skilled Dominant response will be Incorrect Evaluation Apprehension Presence of audience is perceived as evaluating you Stronger effect if someone significant is watching Distraction effect Distraction is defined as a lack of concentration If attentional focus is broken performer will be distracted Performers need to practice in distracting situations Home field advantage More teams win at home than away- Why? Crowd judged as supportive or hostile Playing in their own stadium reduces anxiety

Coping with Social Inhibition Stress management techniques Mental Rehearsal Selective attention- Refined process Lowering incentive value of situation/outcome Training with presence of audience