Holly A. Ware

Document Type

Honors Project

First Advisor

Dr. Donald Witters

Degree Award Date

Spring 2000

Keywords

Pre-Competitive Cognitive Anxiety, Somatic Anxiety, Performance Expectations, Athletic Performance, self-confidence

Disciplines

Health Psychology | Psychology | Somatic Psychology

Abstract

This study assessed the relationships between cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, self-confidence, and athletic performance. Cognitive anxiety is characterized by negative thoughts, the inability to concentrate, and disrupted attention. Somatic anxiety is characterized by the physiological arousal that one experiences such as rapid heart rate, clammy hands, and tense muscles. Self-Confidence is explained through the expectations that an athlete has about his/her abilities and performance. It was hypothesized that the less cognitive anxiety an athlete has prior to competition, the more self-confidence they will have, which will lead to better performance. It was also hypothesized that higher levels of somatic anxiety and self-confidence together will increase performance among high school athletes. Boys and girls high school basketball players completed the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory (CSAI-2), which included three sub scales: cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, and self-confidence. Results indicated that the level of cognitive anxiety was significantly related to the athlete's performance. The results also showed the athletes who had higher levels of somatic anxiety and self-confidence had the best performances. The study was analyzed using 2x2 factorial designs along with a one way analysis of variance.

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