Psychology Anxiety Essay Example
With reference to theory and research, evaluate some of the sources of anxiety and identify how this may be applicable to the sporting performer
Anxiety can be defined as a ‘subjective feeling of apprehension or perceived threat , sometimes accompanied by heightened physiological arousal.’ No matter the skill level of an athlete, prior to an event they will experience a certain degree of anxiety regarding their performance.
Anxiety is suggested to have two components cognitive. Somatic anxiety can be observed in the form of physiological responses such as increased heart rate, increased blood pressure or sweating. Theses are the body’s natural responses to increased arousal the ‘fight or flight’ idea. Anxiety has been linked to an unpleasant feeling. Eysenck (1992) suggested that the purpose of anxiety was to help detect danger or threat in potentially threatening environments and is linked to arousal. Anxiety is therefore an essential part of an individual’s physiological make up and can be beneficial before an event as it increases arousal and therefore the body’s readiness for the task.
Various theories to explain why anxiety may be experienced have been suggested and the effect it may have on a sporting performer.
Eysenck suggested a theory of state and trait anxiety. State anxiety refers to the worry or feeling nervous as a result of increased arousal when faced with certain situations. It was suggested that individuals feel very anxious in certain activities but not anxious at all in others. It also suggested that an individual’s anxiety level can rise from situation to situation as well as at different times within that situation. For example when defending a corner in the last minute of a game that you are winning 1-0 your state anxiety will increase. State anxiety can be either cognitive or somatic with somatic state anxiety being how an individual perceives their level of physiological arousal. Cognitive state anxiety is related to how an
Anxiety can be defined as a ‘subjective feeling of apprehension or perceived threat , sometimes accompanied by heightened physiological arousal.’ No matter the skill level of an athlete, prior to an event they will experience a certain degree of anxiety regarding their performance.
Anxiety is suggested to have two components cognitive. Somatic anxiety can be observed in the form of physiological responses such as increased heart rate, increased blood pressure or sweating. Theses are the body’s natural responses to increased arousal the ‘fight or flight’ idea. Anxiety has been linked to an unpleasant feeling. Eysenck (1992) suggested that the purpose of anxiety was to help detect danger or threat in potentially threatening environments and is linked to arousal. Anxiety is therefore an essential part of an individual’s physiological make up and can be beneficial before an event as it increases arousal and therefore the body’s readiness for the task.
Various theories to explain why anxiety may be experienced have been suggested and the effect it may have on a sporting performer.
Eysenck suggested a theory of state and trait anxiety. State anxiety refers to the worry or feeling nervous as a result of increased arousal when faced with certain situations. It was suggested that individuals feel very anxious in certain activities but not anxious at all in others. It also suggested that an individual’s anxiety level can rise from situation to situation as well as at different times within that situation. For example when defending a corner in the last minute of a game that you are winning 1-0 your state anxiety will increase. State anxiety can be either cognitive or somatic with somatic state anxiety being how an individual perceives their level of physiological arousal. Cognitive state anxiety is related to how an