Perceived uncertainty of outcome as a contributing factor in competitive state anxiety.
The Martens, Vealey, and Burton (1990) model of competitive anxiety contains perceived uncertainty, perceived importance, and competitive trait anxiety (A-trait) as key determinants affecting a person's perception of threat and competitive state anxiety (A-state). This experiment tested perceived uncertainty of outcome and A-trait influences on A-state. Club level golfers (N = 72) were assigned to either a low uncertainty condition (LU) or a high uncertainty (HU) condition. In this experiment participants were matched and competed for 12 golf balls in a modified chipping competition. Participants also completed the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory -2 and the Match Orientation Questionnaire (a measure of perceived uncertainty) prior to, and during breaks in the competition. Players alternated in taking four rounds of eight shots from a zone marked approximately 30 metres from the hole. A series of tests did not support the manipulation of uncertainty. This was probably due to likely losers and likely winners not experiencing similar levels of A-state, as Martens et al. assume. Recoding the uncertainty data to reflect levels of confidence, and entering confidence and A-trait into multiple regression equations resulted in these two variables accounting for between 15% and 23% of the A-state variance at different stages of the competition. Recommendations for future research, and possible revisions of the model in light of the present findings are discussed.
Marchant
D B
DB
Department of Physical Education and Recreation, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia.
Andersen
M B
MB
Morris
T
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006055:Golf / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010465:Perception; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012649:Self Concept; D014434:Type A Personality