B.3 Mental Preparation

• What is the definition of arousal?

  Arousal is an alertness or state of readiness of the body for an action.
• How can arousal be triggered?

  Arousal can be triggered by both pleasant and unpleasant situations.
• What does arousal indicate about an athlete's state before performance?

  Arousal indicates how motivated, interested, or excited an athlete is prior to and throughout the performance.
• What are the observable effects of arousal in sports?

  • Passion / energy
  • Optimal zone
  • Lethargy (slow/miss important info)
  • Loss of control (aggression)
• What does drive theory state about arousal and performance?

  Drive theory states that as arousal increases, performance increases linearly.
• What is the formula for behavior according to drive theory?

  Behavior = arousal x dominant response.
• What is a dominant response?

  A dominant response is the skill or action that is most well learned.
• What happens when a highly learned skill is combined with high arousal?

  A highly learned skill combined with high arousal is more likely to result in good performance.
• What is a criticism of drive theory?

  A criticism of drive theory is that it ignores individual differences in optimal arousal points.
• What does drive reduction theory describe?

  Drive reduction theory describes the process of motivation leading to learning and the subsequent reduction of that drive.
• What does catastrophe theory state about performance and arousal?

  Catastrophe theory states that performance is affected by arousal and can decline rapidly under certain conditions.
• What is the inverted U hypothesis?

  The inverted U hypothesis states that performance increases with arousal to an optimal point, after which performance decreases.
• What factors can influence an athlete's optimal arousal level?

  Factors include personality, task type, stage of learning, and experience.
• What are the positive emotions that can influence performance?

  Positive emotions include excitement, relief, and pride, which can lead to improved performance.
• What are the negative emotions that can influence performance?

  Negative emotions include anger, guilt, shame, anxiety, and boredom, which can lead to decreased performance.
• How does a negative mood affect performance?

  A negative mood is likely to prime negative memories and reduce confidence to perform.
• How does a positive mood affect performance?

  A positive mood is more likely to prime positive outcomes and increase confidence to perform.
• What is the definition of anxiety?

  Anxiety is a negative emotion of apprehension and tension that includes irrational thoughts and fear of failure.
• What are the two types of anxiety?

  The two types of anxiety are trait anxiety and state anxiety.
• What characterizes cognitive anxiety?

  Cognitive anxiety is characterized by feelings of worry and negative expectations about performance.
• What characterizes somatic anxiety?

  Somatic anxiety is characterized by physiological symptoms such as increased heart rate and sweating.
• What is trait anxiety?

  Trait anxiety is a predisposed level of anxiety that is relatively enduring and innate.
• What is state anxiety?

  State anxiety is a temporary negative emotion experienced in threatening situations that can change during competition.
• How can anxiety be measured?

  Anxiety can be measured using physiological measures and psychological measures such as questionnaires.
• What is the SCAT test used for?

  The SCAT test measures trait anxiety based on responses to questions about feelings during competition.
• What does the CSAI-2 measure?

  The CSAI-2 measures cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, and self-confidence before competition.
• What is the stress process in sport?

  The stress process involves the perception of an imbalance between environmental demands and one's response capability.
• What are the stages of the stress process?

  1. Causes of stress (environmental demands)
  2. Perception of the demand (threat)
  3. Response to the perception (stress response)
  4. Actual behavior demonstrated (outcome)
• What can result from the stress process?

  The stress process can result in anxiety and other emotions such as fear, curiosity, sadness, anger, and depression.