A2 AQA PE - Sports Psychology
Revision Questions and Answers |
Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct &
Verified
What is sports psychology mainly concerned with?
✔✔The study of mental processes and behaviour in sport
What does motivation refer to in sport?
✔✔The drive that directs and maintains behaviour
What is intrinsic motivation?
✔✔Motivation that comes from enjoyment and satisfaction
What is extrinsic motivation?
✔✔Motivation driven by external rewards or avoidance of punishment
What is achievement motivation?
✔✔The desire to succeed and outperform others
What does competitiveness describe?
✔✔A desire to win and compare performance with others
1
,What is arousal in sport psychology?
✔✔The level of physical and mental alertness
What happens when arousal is too low?
✔✔Performance may be poor due to lack of focus
What happens when arousal is too high?
✔✔Performance may decline due to anxiety
What does the inverted-U theory explain?
✔✔The relationship between arousal and performance
What is anxiety?
✔✔A negative emotional state with nervousness and worry
What is cognitive anxiety?
✔✔Mental worry and negative thoughts
What is somatic anxiety?
✔✔Physical symptoms such as sweating and increased heart rate
What is self-confidence?
2
, ✔✔Belief in one’s ability to succeed
How does high self-confidence affect performance?
✔✔It usually improves performance
What is the catastrophe theory?
✔✔A theory explaining sudden performance drops with high anxiety
What is stress in sport?
✔✔A response to perceived pressure or demand
What is a stressor?
✔✔A source of pressure or demand
What does goal setting aim to do?
✔✔Improve motivation and performance
What is a short-term goal?
✔✔A goal set for the near future
What is a long-term goal?
✔✔A goal set over an extended period
3
Revision Questions and Answers |
Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct &
Verified
What is sports psychology mainly concerned with?
✔✔The study of mental processes and behaviour in sport
What does motivation refer to in sport?
✔✔The drive that directs and maintains behaviour
What is intrinsic motivation?
✔✔Motivation that comes from enjoyment and satisfaction
What is extrinsic motivation?
✔✔Motivation driven by external rewards or avoidance of punishment
What is achievement motivation?
✔✔The desire to succeed and outperform others
What does competitiveness describe?
✔✔A desire to win and compare performance with others
1
,What is arousal in sport psychology?
✔✔The level of physical and mental alertness
What happens when arousal is too low?
✔✔Performance may be poor due to lack of focus
What happens when arousal is too high?
✔✔Performance may decline due to anxiety
What does the inverted-U theory explain?
✔✔The relationship between arousal and performance
What is anxiety?
✔✔A negative emotional state with nervousness and worry
What is cognitive anxiety?
✔✔Mental worry and negative thoughts
What is somatic anxiety?
✔✔Physical symptoms such as sweating and increased heart rate
What is self-confidence?
2
, ✔✔Belief in one’s ability to succeed
How does high self-confidence affect performance?
✔✔It usually improves performance
What is the catastrophe theory?
✔✔A theory explaining sudden performance drops with high anxiety
What is stress in sport?
✔✔A response to perceived pressure or demand
What is a stressor?
✔✔A source of pressure or demand
What does goal setting aim to do?
✔✔Improve motivation and performance
What is a short-term goal?
✔✔A goal set for the near future
What is a long-term goal?
✔✔A goal set over an extended period
3
