PYC4812 Assignment 4 2026
Unique number:
Due date: 22 August 2026
SECTION A
QUESTION 1: Psychological causes of doping
Psychological causes of doping are emotional and thinking factors that make prohibited substances
seem useful for coping with pressure, difficult feelings or personal doubts. The prescribed text places
these influences within the psychological and emotional category of doping (Anshel & Williams
2021:460). Doping may therefore become an unhealthy coping response when athletes believe
ordinary psychological skills cannot manage what they are experiencing (Anshel & Williams
2021:460–461).
Stress and anxiety
Stress and anxiety can cause doping when athletes use substances to reduce tension, fear or
excessive arousal before demanding performances (Anshel & Williams 2021:460). For example, an
, SECTION A
QUESTION 1: Psychological causes of doping
Psychological causes of doping are emotional and thinking factors that make
prohibited substances seem useful for coping with pressure, difficult feelings or
personal doubts. The prescribed text places these influences within the
psychological and emotional category of doping (Anshel & Williams 2021:460).
Doping may therefore become an unhealthy coping response when athletes believe
ordinary psychological skills cannot manage what they are experiencing (Anshel &
Williams 2021:460–461).
Stress and anxiety
Stress and anxiety can cause doping when athletes use substances to reduce
tension, fear or excessive arousal before demanding performances (Anshel &
Williams 2021:460). For example, an archer who becomes extremely anxious before
a final may consider a prohibited beta blocker because reduced tension appears to
offer greater control, instead of using lawful mental skills to manage pressure
(Anshel & Williams 2021:460).
Boredom
Boredom becomes a psychological cause when athletes use recreational drugs to
create stimulation during empty or repetitive periods, particularly on weekends or
team trips (Anshel & Williams 2021:460). A player may therefore use an illegal
recreational substance during a long away trip because there are few planned
activities between matches and the athlete wants relief from persistent boredom
(Anshel & Williams 2021:460).
Personal problems
Personal problems can encourage drug use when difficulties outside sport become
overwhelming and substances are treated as a temporary escape from emotional
strain (Anshel & Williams 2021:460). A university athlete facing serious family conflict
and poor academic results may begin using drugs after training because avoiding
Unique number:
Due date: 22 August 2026
SECTION A
QUESTION 1: Psychological causes of doping
Psychological causes of doping are emotional and thinking factors that make prohibited substances
seem useful for coping with pressure, difficult feelings or personal doubts. The prescribed text places
these influences within the psychological and emotional category of doping (Anshel & Williams
2021:460). Doping may therefore become an unhealthy coping response when athletes believe
ordinary psychological skills cannot manage what they are experiencing (Anshel & Williams
2021:460–461).
Stress and anxiety
Stress and anxiety can cause doping when athletes use substances to reduce tension, fear or
excessive arousal before demanding performances (Anshel & Williams 2021:460). For example, an
, SECTION A
QUESTION 1: Psychological causes of doping
Psychological causes of doping are emotional and thinking factors that make
prohibited substances seem useful for coping with pressure, difficult feelings or
personal doubts. The prescribed text places these influences within the
psychological and emotional category of doping (Anshel & Williams 2021:460).
Doping may therefore become an unhealthy coping response when athletes believe
ordinary psychological skills cannot manage what they are experiencing (Anshel &
Williams 2021:460–461).
Stress and anxiety
Stress and anxiety can cause doping when athletes use substances to reduce
tension, fear or excessive arousal before demanding performances (Anshel &
Williams 2021:460). For example, an archer who becomes extremely anxious before
a final may consider a prohibited beta blocker because reduced tension appears to
offer greater control, instead of using lawful mental skills to manage pressure
(Anshel & Williams 2021:460).
Boredom
Boredom becomes a psychological cause when athletes use recreational drugs to
create stimulation during empty or repetitive periods, particularly on weekends or
team trips (Anshel & Williams 2021:460). A player may therefore use an illegal
recreational substance during a long away trip because there are few planned
activities between matches and the athlete wants relief from persistent boredom
(Anshel & Williams 2021:460).
Personal problems
Personal problems can encourage drug use when difficulties outside sport become
overwhelming and substances are treated as a temporary escape from emotional
strain (Anshel & Williams 2021:460). A university athlete facing serious family conflict
and poor academic results may begin using drugs after training because avoiding
