Arousal, Stress and Anxiety

Arousal, Stress & Anxiety

• Many people use arousal, stress and anxiety interchangeably but they are different

• Arousal- physiological and psychological activation varying on a continuum from deep sleep—intense excitement; experience increased HR, sweating, respiration; associated with pleasant or unpleasant events– Made a last second shot to win the game– You were just in an accident

Anxiety

• Negative emotional state characterized by nervousness, worry and apprehension

• 4 types– Cognitive anxiety- thought component– Somatic anxiety- degree of physical activation

perceived– State anxiety- temporary ever changing mood

component– Trait anxiety- an acquired behavioral tendency or

disposition that influences behavior

Measuring Arousal and Anxiety

• Researchers look at changes in physiological sings– HR, respiration, perspiration, and biochemistry

• Use rating scales (self-reported)• “Before the game were you worried about the

game”• A. Not at all• B. Somewhat• C. Extremely

The Stress Process

• Stress- imbalance between physical and psychological demands placed on an individual and his or her response capability

• 4 stages:• 1-Environmental demand-physical and

psychological– Pressure from parents to win

• 2-Perception of the demand- each person is different; a person’s perception of a demand can be different for each individual

Stress Process

• 3-Sress Response– Physical and psychological response– Arousal, muscle tension, attention changes, HR

• Behavioral consequences– Performance or outcome, if overly threatened,

they will perform badly

• This is a continuing cycle

Stressors

• General• Major life events• Job change• Death in family• Daily hassles• Athletes• Worry of performance• Financial costs• Time for training

• Self doubt• Relationships• Traumatic experiences

outside of sport• Injured Athletes• Psychological fears• Physical/Medical• Rehab• Career stress

Personal Sources of Stress

• Trait Anxiety– Personality factors that contribute to someone

perceiving more stress• Self-Esteem– Perceptions of threat; less confident people experience

more state anxiety• Social Physique Anxiety– Personality disposition defined as “the degree to which

people become anxious when others observe their physique”; usually avoid fitness settings and hate being evaluated

Theories on Anxiety

• Drive Theory– As arousal or state anxiety increases, so does

performance– The more psyched up you are, the better you will

do• Inverted U Hypothesis– As arousal increases so will performance up to a

certain point and then performance will decrease

Theories on Anxiety

• Individualized Zones of Optimal Functioning