Stress and Anxiety

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 Wulf and so on)• See also Fitts & Posner (1968) – cognitive & automatic

stages of learning

Final Papers, final question

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 good, and is worth a read.– “Self vs. other” focus relevant to all our stress-related models

• Also see:

• Holistic process goals less harmful than specific process goals

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

Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 2006

Final Papers, final question

• Stereotype threat, a self-focus model with a bias– Beilock et al.– Expt. 1

Mention of stereotype threat

impaired performance

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.

Final Papers, final question

• Stereotype threat, a self-focus model with a bias

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”