Discuss one or more theories relating arousal and/or anxiety to performance in sport.

Refer to the paper 2 assessment criteria when awarding marks.

The command term “discuss” requires candidates to offer a considered review of one or more theories relating arousal and/or anxiety to performance in sport.

It is not necessary for candidates to distinguish between arousal and anxiety.

Theories include, but are not limited to:

• Yerkes and Dodson’s (1908) inverted-U hypothesis
• Zajonc’s (1965) drive theory
• Apter’s (1982) reversal theory
• Baumeister’s (1984) explicit monitoring theory
• Frazey and Hardy’s (1988) catastrophe model
• Hardy’s (1996) multidimensional anxiety theory
• Hanin’s (1997) individual zones of optimal functioning theory
• Bandura’s (1997) theory of self-efficacy.

Discussion of the selected research may include but is not limited to:

• methodological considerations
• the accuracy and clarity of the concepts
• contrary findings or explanations
• the productivity of the theory in generating psychological research
• the applications of the empirical findings.

If a candidate discusses one or more theories relating arousal and/or anxiety to performance in general but not relevant for sport, the response should be awarded up to a maximum of [3] for criterion A, knowledge and comprehension, up to a maximum of [3] for criterion B, critical thinking, and up to a maximum of [2] for criterion C, organization.

Candidates may discuss one theory in order to demonstrate depth of knowledge, or a greater number of theories in order to demonstrate breadth of knowledge. Both approaches are equally acceptable.