A catastrophe model of anxiety and performance

Area of Science:

• Sport Psychology
• Performance Psychology
• Cognitive Anxiety Research

Background:

• The relationship between anxiety and performance is complex.
• Fazey & Hardy's (1988) catastrophe model proposes a non-linear interaction between cognitive anxiety and physiological arousal.
• This model includes a hysteresis effect, suggesting performance varies depending on whether arousal is increasing or decreasing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To empirically test Fazey & Hardy's catastrophe model of anxiety and performance.
• To investigate the hysteresis hypothesis within the model.
• To examine the impact of high versus low cognitive anxiety on basketball shooting performance under manipulated arousal.

Main Methods:

• Eight experienced basketball players performed a set shooting task.
• Cognitive anxiety was manipulated (high vs. low).
• Physiological arousal was manipulated through physical work, with conditions of increasing and decreasing arousal.

Main Results:

• Curve-fitting and non-parametric tests confirmed hysteresis in the high cognitive anxiety condition (p < .002).
• Polynomial curves for increasing vs. decreasing arousal were horizontally displaced in high anxiety but superimposed in low anxiety.
• Performance decrements were greater, with higher maximum and lower minimum performances, under high cognitive anxiety.

Conclusions:

• The findings provide strong support for Fazey & Hardy's catastrophe model.
• The hysteresis effect is a key component of the anxiety-performance relationship under high cognitive anxiety.
• The results have implications for understanding and managing the anxiety-performance link in sports.