Sport Psychology AS A Level PE AQA
Questions and Answers | Latest
Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
What is sport psychology mainly concerned with in A level PE?
✔✔The study of mental factors that affect performance in sport
What does motivation mean in sport psychology?
✔✔The drive or desire to succeed and continue participating
What is intrinsic motivation?
✔✔Motivation that comes from enjoyment and satisfaction
What is extrinsic motivation?
✔✔Motivation that comes from external rewards or praise
What is a key benefit of intrinsic motivation?
✔✔Long-term commitment to sport
What is arousal in sport psychology?
✔✔The level of alertness and readiness to perform
What happens when arousal is too low?
1
,✔✔Performance is often 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 in sport?
✔✔A negative emotional response to stress
What is trait anxiety?
✔✔A stable personality tendency to feel anxious
What is state anxiety?
✔✔Temporary anxiety felt in specific situations
What is cognitive anxiety?
✔✔Mental worry and negative thoughts
What is somatic anxiety?
✔✔Physical symptoms such as sweating or increased heart rate
2
, What is aggression in sport?
✔✔Intentional behaviour aimed at harming another
What is assertive behaviour?
✔✔Forceful play within the rules without intent to harm
What is hostile aggression?
✔✔Aggression intended to cause harm
What is instrumental aggression?
✔✔Aggression used as a means to achieve a goal
What is drive theory?
✔✔The idea that increased arousal increases performance
Why is drive theory limited?
✔✔It does not explain poor performance at high arousal
What is personality in sport psychology?
✔✔A set of stable characteristics influencing behaviour
3
Questions and Answers | Latest
Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
What is sport psychology mainly concerned with in A level PE?
✔✔The study of mental factors that affect performance in sport
What does motivation mean in sport psychology?
✔✔The drive or desire to succeed and continue participating
What is intrinsic motivation?
✔✔Motivation that comes from enjoyment and satisfaction
What is extrinsic motivation?
✔✔Motivation that comes from external rewards or praise
What is a key benefit of intrinsic motivation?
✔✔Long-term commitment to sport
What is arousal in sport psychology?
✔✔The level of alertness and readiness to perform
What happens when arousal is too low?
1
,✔✔Performance is often 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 in sport?
✔✔A negative emotional response to stress
What is trait anxiety?
✔✔A stable personality tendency to feel anxious
What is state anxiety?
✔✔Temporary anxiety felt in specific situations
What is cognitive anxiety?
✔✔Mental worry and negative thoughts
What is somatic anxiety?
✔✔Physical symptoms such as sweating or increased heart rate
2
, What is aggression in sport?
✔✔Intentional behaviour aimed at harming another
What is assertive behaviour?
✔✔Forceful play within the rules without intent to harm
What is hostile aggression?
✔✔Aggression intended to cause harm
What is instrumental aggression?
✔✔Aggression used as a means to achieve a goal
What is drive theory?
✔✔The idea that increased arousal increases performance
Why is drive theory limited?
✔✔It does not explain poor performance at high arousal
What is personality in sport psychology?
✔✔A set of stable characteristics influencing behaviour
3
