Perception of performer

Perception of performer is crucial factor in determining effects of arousal, stress, & anxiety

Perception factors

situational demands; Personal skills; Presence of others

Arousal

General physiological & psychological activation that varies along a continuum from deep sleep to intense excitement; Neutral state; Intensity dimension of motivation at a particular moment

Anxiety

Stems from arousal when possibility of threat is perceived; Negative emotional state characterized by nervousness, worry, & apprehension; Associated with physiological activation of the body

Dimensions of Anxiety

Cognitive Anxiety; Somatic Anxiety

Cognitive Anxiety

Thought component (worry, apprehension); Occurs when there’s discrepancy between one’s perceived ability & ability required to perform task

Somatic Anxiety

Degree of physical activation perceived

State Anxiety

Emotional state characterized by subjective, consciously perceived feelings of apprehension and tension; Accompanied by increase in physiological arousal of autonomic nervous system

Cognitive State Anxiety

Degree to which one worries or has negative thoughts

Somatic State Anxiety

Moment-to-moment changes in perceived physiological activation

Trait Anxiety

Predisposes one to perceive certain environments as threatening & to respond to perceived threat with increased state anxiety; Part of personality; environments that objectively are not actually physically or psychologically dangerous

Relationship between State & Trait Anxiety

People with higher trait anxiety usually exhibit higher state anxiety; More likely to perceive situational threats; Research shows that those who score high on trait anxiety also experience more state anxiety in highly competitive, evaluative situations

Stress

Non-specific response of body to any demand made upon it; Occurs when there’s a substantial perceived imbalance between physical & psychological demands & one’s ability to respond; Feeling overburdened by situation

Sources of Stress & Anxiety

Situational Sources; Personal Sources

Situational Sources

Event importance; Uncertainty; Fear of performance failure; Fear of negative social evaluation; Fear of physical harm; Disruption of routine

Personal Sources

Trait anxiety; Highly trait anxious person perceives competition as more threatening & anxiety producing; Self-esteem; Low self-esteem performers have lower confidence & experience higher state anxiety

Dunn (1999)

hockey players cited fear of failure & negative social evaluation as main sources of anxiety

Thuot et al (1998)

h.s. basketball players highest level of anxiety related to perception of skill level of opponents