Stress and Anxiety

Final Papers, final question Question 3 on the final

Final Papers, final question Conscious processing a “self-focus” model. – State anxiety leads to an inward focus, in an attempt to control performance using explicit knowledge. Interference w automatic processing, leads to inappropriate controlled processing. (see dst, see bernstein, see fitts and posner, see Wulf and so on)

Final Papers, final question Conscious processing a “self-focus” model. – Mullen et al.’s findings (putting accuracy) Conscious processing Distraction Supports an attentional interpretation. Not conscious processing.

Final Papers, final question Conscious processing a “self-focus” model. – Mullen et al.’s paper The discussion is unusually good, and is worth a read. – “Self vs. other” focus relevant to all our stress-related models

Final Papers, final question Stereotype threat, a self-focus model with a bias – You’re self-focus will only impair you if you are aware of the stereotype and you’re the one who is being stereotyped Associated with increased mental workload in those who suffer it (decreased HRV) It’s a cognitive control issue – impairment is within the working memory – for cognitive tasks – What about non-cognitive tasks?

Final Papers, final question Stereotype threat, a self-focus model with a bias – Sport tasks… Distraction theory (“Other-focus” - WM capacity needed for performance, distracting thoughts reduce available capacity under anxiety conditions) Explicit monitoring theory (“self-focus” – increased explicit attention to procedural task – performance breakdown) – Can both operate, but have different effects depending on task type.

Final Papers, final question Stereotype threat, a self-focus model with a bias – Beilock et al. – Expt. 1

Final Papers, final question Stereotype threat, a self-focus model with a bias – Beilock et al. – Expts. 2 & 3 Adding a dual task under stereotype threat improved performance – the distraction helped. (Note no effect of threat without dual task though)

Final Papers, final question Ironic processing – Intentional operating process Thoughts supporting desired outcome effortful – Ironic monitoring process Thoughts not supporting the desired outcome Unconscious – If mental capacity is lessened (stress), the operator is undermined while the monitor continues unaffected, so ironic thoughts increase and impair performance

Final Papers, final question Ironic processing – Wegner et al. Expt. 1 – Mental load vs. no mental load, visual monitoring vs. none – Ironic processing increased overshoot, monitoring (glowing putter) didn’t.

Final Papers, final question Ironic processing – Wegner et al. Expt. 2 – Mental load (count backwards in 3s) vs. physical load (hold a brick) – Ironic processing increased overshoot, monitoring (glowing putter) didn’t.

Final Papers, final question Ironic processing – Wegner et al. Expt. 2 “more unwanted movements occurred when people attempted to avoid such movements under load”