The study was designed to determine the effects of psychological sex-role on pre-performance anxiety in masculine (rugby), feminine (balance beam), and neutral (badminton) sex-typed motor activities. Instruments used to gather data included the Personal Attributes Questionnaire, the Sport Competition Anxiety Test, and the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2. Twenty-six masculine, 24 feminine, and 27 androgynous males and females were submitted to a three-phase training session for each sport skill. At the conclusion of each session, prior to performing the skill in front of a panel of judges (confederates of the experimenter), subjects were administered the self-report state anxiety (A-state) inventory. Data were analyzed by a 2 x 3 x 3 design. Conclusions were that individuals classified as feminine reported more feelings of A-state prior to performance than individuals classified as masculine or androgynous. Furthermore, the performer's biological sex affected anxiety levels, depending upon perceptions concerning the sex-appropriateness of the activity.

The present investigation was to determine if combining two mental preparation strategies would be more effective than a single strategy. In Experiment 1, subjects (n=40) performed basketball free-throws (20 shots) using one of these mental strategies: 1) imagery, 2) relaxation, 3)relaxation plus imagery, 4) placebo control. Results indicated a significant main effect with the imagery group performing significantly better than the placebo control group. In Experiment 2, subjects (n=40) performed five trials on an isokinetic leg-strength task using one of the following mental strategies: 1) preparatory arousal, 2) imagery, 3) preparatory arousal plus imagery, 4) placebo control. Results indicated a significant trials main effect with all subjects improving over time. State anxiety results indicated that the combination group exhibited higher levels of anxiety than all other conditions.

Syftet med föreliggande studie är att undersöka instrumentalpedagogers förhållningssätt till fenomenet prestationsångest i musikundervisning. Tre instrumentalpedagoger, som är eller har varit aktiva som musiker, har intervjuats utifrån forskningsmetoden kvalitativa, halvstrukturerade intervjuer. Det teoretiska perspektiv som studien baseras på är prestationspsykologi. I resultatet presenteras instrumentalpedagogernas uppfattningar om fenomenet prestationsångest, där de intervjuade lyfter fram olika aspekter och faktorer som kan ligga till grund för prestationsångest samt hur ångesten påverkar den utövande. Det andra temat aktivt engagemang och bemötande gentemot elever belyser olika undervisningsstrategier som informanterna använder sig av för att bemöta elever i hänsyn till fenomenet prestationsångest. I sista temat metoder för att förebygga prestationsångest, förklarar informanterna vilka metoder som kan användas för att motverka ångesten eller påverka dess faktorer i rätt riktning. I diskussionsavsnittet diskuteras instrumentalpedagogernas förhållningssätt till prestationsångest i musikundervisning utifrån bakgrundslitteratur, tidigare forskning och det teoretiska perspektivet prestationspsykologi. Avsnittet fokuserar på följande aspekter; prestationsbaserad självkänsla, instrumentalpedagogens och miljöns betydelse, att medvetandegöra och acceptera sin ångest samt förberedelser och mental träning. Avslutningsvis reflekterar jag över arbetets betydelse och fortsatt forskning inom ämnet. / The purpose of this study is to investigate instrumental teacher’s approach to the phenomenon of performance anxiety in music education. Three instrumental teachers, who are or who has been active as musicians, have been interviewed by the method of science qualitative, semi-structured interviews. The theoretical perspective, which the study is based on, is performance psychology. The result presents instrumental teachers views to the phenomenon of performance anxiety, whereof the interviewed emphasizes different aspects and factors, which form the basis of performance anxiety and how anxiety affect performers. The second theme active interest and treatment towards the students highlights a variety of teaching strategies, which the informants use to treat the students regarding to the phenomenon of performance anxiety. In the last theme methods to prevent performance anxiety, the informants illustrate the methods which could be used to discourage anxiety and work on the factors in a correct manner. The discussion focuses on following aspects; performance based self-esteem, the importance of teacher and environment, to raise awareness and accept any anxiety and also preparations and mental training. At last I analyze the importance of this study and further research in this topic.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos imediatos da administração da ocitocina (OT) na ansiedade de performance musical (APM) em cantores profissionais, tendose como parâmetro o \"Teste de Simulação de Canto em Público\" (TSCP). Realizouse um ensaio clínico randomizado, duplo cego, cross-over controlado por placebo, tendo como sujeitos 50 cantores profissionais homens, sendo 16% eruditos e 84% populares, com idade média de 28,86 anos e tempo de experiência média de 10,96 anos. Todos os cantores realizaram autoadministração de dose única de 24UI de OT ou placebo por meio de um spray nasal, em sessões diferentes, de acordo com o grupo que foram alocados. Após 51 minutos da administração da OT ou placebo, tempo que coincidiu com o pico de concentração da OT, os cantores realizaram o TSCP, que consistiu em uma performance musical, com interpretação à capela de uma música de livre escolha, por quatro minutos em ambiente controlado. Foram analisadas medidas de indicadores de humor, de desempenho da performance, sinas e sintomas vocais, por meio de escalas de autoavaliação, e análise das medidas acústicas vocais utilizando o software Multi-Dimensional Voice Program Advanced, ao longo de seis fases: Medida Inicial (MI), Medida Basal (MB), Medida Antecipatória (MA), Medida de desempenho (MD), Medida Pós-estresse 0 (MPe0), e Medida Pós-estresse 1 (MPe1). Foi realizada análise de variância ANOVA 2x2 para modelos de estudos cross-over com comparação intra e interssujeitos. Os resultados indicaram que houve efeito do tratamento com OT quando comparado com o placebo durante o TSCP, melhorando a autoavaliação do desempenho nas fases MD, MPe0 e MPe1. Não houve mudanças nos indicadores de humor, sinais e sintomas vocais e nas medidas acústicas vocais avaliadas nos cantores ao longo do TSCP. Para as medidas avaliadas não se evidenciou efeito de sequência e de período. As medidas de separabilidade evidenciaram que o 29% para as medidas de autoavaliação e o 23% para as medidas acústicas da voz, corresponde ao efeito do tratamento com OT, sendo estimada independentemente do efeito carry-over. Em conclusão, a OT apresentou efeito ansiolítico, evidenciando melhora na autoavaliação do desempenho, com ausência de reações adversas quanto aos sinais e sintomas vocais e às medidas acústicas da voz. / The aim of this study was to evaluate the immediate effects of administration of Oxytocin (OT) in the musical performance anxiety (MPA) in professional singers, having the \'Test of Public Singing Simulation\' (TPSS) as parameter. We conducted a double-blind cross-over randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial, with 50 professional male singers as subjects, of whom 16% were erudite singers and 84% were popular singers, with an average age of 28.86 and an average period of experience of 10.96 years. All singers self-administered an only dose of 24UI of OT or placebo via a nasal spray, in different sessions, according to the group they were placed with. After 51 minutes of the OT or placebo administration, time that coincident of peak concentration of OT, the TPSS was performed, which consisted of an acapella musical interpretation of a free choice song for 4 minutes in a controlled environment. Measures of mood indicators were analyzed, as well as performance, vocal signs and symptoms, with self-assessment scales and analysis of voice acoustic measures using Multi-Dimensional Voice Program Advanced software during six stages: Initial Measure (MI), Basal Measure (MB), Anticipatory (MA), Performance Measure (MD), Post-stress 0 Measure (MPe0) and Post-stress 1 Measure (MPe1). An analysis of the ANOVA 2x2 variation was performed for crossover study models with intra- and inter- subject comparisons. The results indicated an effect in the OT treatment when compared with placebo during the TPSS, improving the in stages MD, MPe0 and MPe1. There were no changes in mood indicators, vocal signs and symptoms nor in vocal acoustic measures over the TPSS. Sequence and period effect were not evident for the reviewed measures. Separability criterion presented OT treatment correspondence of 29% for self-evaluation measurements and 23% for voice acoustic measures, which was estimated regardless of the carryover effect. In conclusion, OT had an anxiolytic effect, emphasizing an improvement in self-evaluation concerning performance with no adverse reaction in terms of voice signs and symptoms and vocal acoustic measures.

O presente trabalho investiga a relação entre a prática consciente e sua influência na prevenção do desencadeamento e no enfrentamento do processo de prejuízo da performance musical em condições de pressão (choking). Participaram do estudo três estudantes do Curso Superior de Instrumento da Escola de Música e Belas Artes do Paraná – Campus I – UNESPAR, Curitiba, PR. Foram utilizados os Guias de Execução (performance cues) propostos por Chaffin e colaboradores (2002, 2006, 2008) como suporte para o desenvolvimento de habilidades cognitivas. Os procedimentos metodológicos utilizados para coleta de dados consistiram de questionários, relatos verbais obtidos de entrevistas semiestruturadas, relatos de estudo, registro em áudio e vídeo da obra escolhida e relatos de guias de execução assinalados nas partituras como registro de decisões interpretativas deliberadas. O suporte cognitivo fornecido pelo trabalho com os Guias de Execução proporcionou segurança emocional suficiente para o enfrentamento das situações de estresse de exposição e principalmente de avaliação e autoavaliação. A partir da compreensão dos elementos teóricos encontrados na literatura e dos resultados deste trabalho com a abordagem metodológica de Chaffin, proponho um modelo conceitual de performance musical afetada pela ansiedade e centrado nos processos de controle e gerenciamento da informação durante a performance musical. Relacionado à hipótese levantada nos estágios iniciais de elaboração da pesquisa, esse modelo permite explorar a presença e manutenção de afetos e pensamentos negativos durante a prática instrumental individual e sua relação com a ocorrência de eventos de choking, e a suposição de que o desenvolvimento de habilidades cognitivas, relacionadas ao planejamento, monitoração e avaliação da prática instrumental, possa reforçar os processos de controle e gerenciamento do estado ansioso, ao permitir um suporte cognitivo que minimize o sentimento de vulnerabilidade, incontrolabilidade e imprevisibilidade inerentes ao estado ansioso, contribuindo, assim, para a melhoria e prevenção de eventos de déficits cognitivo-motores em performance sob pressão. / This study investigates the relationship between conscious practice, and its influence in prevention and coping with the decrement process in musical performance under pressure (choking under pressure). The study included three students of the bachelor degree of instrument in Escola de Música e Belas Artes do Paraná – Campus I – UNESPAR, Curitiba, PR. Performance Cues proposed by Chaffin and colleagues (2002, 2006, 2008) were used as support for the development of cognitive skills. Methodological procedures used for data collection consisted of questionnaires, verbal reports obtained from semi-structured interviews, practice reports, audio and video records of the chosen work and analysis of performance cues assigned in the scores as records of deliberate interpretative decisions. Cognitive support provided by working with Performance Cues provide enough emotional security for dealing with stress exposure situations and especially with evaluation and self-evaluation. Based on the understanding of theoretical elements found in the literature and the results of this study with the Chaffin methodological approach, I propose a conceptual model of musical performance affected by anxiety focused on process control and information management during the musical performance. Related to the hypothesis in the early stages of the research, this model explores the presence and maintenance of negative feelings and thoughts during the individual instrumental practice and its relation to the occurrence of choking event. The model also explores the assumption that the development of metacognitive skills, related to planning, monitoring and evaluation of instrumental practice can improve the control and management process of the anxious state. This control can be achieved by allowing a cognitive support that minimizes the feeling of vulnerability, uncontrollability and unpredictability, thus contributing to the improvement and prevention of cognitive-motor deficits events in performance under pressure.

O presente trabalho investiga processos de aprendizagem e memorização simultâneos ao avaliar a eficácia dos Guias de Execução (GEs) segundo o protocolo Chaffin. O protocolo foi utilizado como estratégia de prática deliberada para o aprendizado e memorização simultâneos. Objetiva-se observar o efeito dos GEs para o controle dos sintomas de ansiedade durante a performance, bem como para a recuperação de episódios de falhas de memória do intérprete. O estudo envolve quatro violinistas pós-graduados e apresenta a proposta de aprender e memorizar simultaneamente um repertório não estudado previamente de maneira sistemática. O repertório pôde ser escolhido livremente pelos participantes dentre a obra Sonatas e Partitas de Johann Sebastian Bach (BWV 1001-1006). / This work investigates simultaneous learning and memorization processes by evaluating the effectiveness of Performance Cues (PCs) according to Chaffin’s protocol. The protocol was used as a deliberate practice strategy for learning and memorizing simultaneously. The purpose of this investigation is to observe the effect of PCs on controling symptoms of anxiety during the performance, as well as how it helps recovery from memory failure episodes by the performer. The study involves four postgraduates violinists and presents the proposal of learning and memorizing a repertoire that was not previously studied in a systematic way. The repertoire could be chosen freely by the participants from the work Sonatas and Partitas by Johann Sebastian Bach (BWV 1001-1006).

The purpose of this research is to overcome stage fright through different techniques of thorough preparation in the practice room. The main methods discussed are mindfulness and mental training. Five selected orchestral excerpts have been prepared and performed using these methods, then presented as recordings in three different situations and analysed according to the performance quality that is then measured by percentage. From my research I deduct that mental training is an essential part of practising that leads to less stage fright and will increase performance results dramatically. / <p>Eduard Oja Piano Quintet</p><p></p><p>Medverkande: Anna-Lena Ohlwein, Doris Mägi, Viktoria Hillerud, Joline Granath</p>

Pupils today put high demands on their performance and getting good results is something that has become like an obsession. Stress in school and performance anxiety is something that is often addressed in television, social media and in newspapers. The purpose of this study is to examine students' experience of stress, performance anxiety and grading in the school environment, with the main focus on school sports. The thesis and the study are based on qualitative research method. The data collection method consisted of three semi-structured focus group interviews. Two of the groups consisted of four pupils in each group, with 50/50 gender distribution. The third group consisted of five students where two were boys and the rest were girls. During the focus group interviews, the students got to interpret and reflect on the three phenomena of stress, performance anxiety and grading. They also discussed and reflected on the influence of school sports. The pupils' perception of the various phenomena is largely reflected in the school environment and school sport. The stress is largely linked to the grades. The performance anxiety can be linked to the stress, but also to the grading rating and that the students have very high demands on their own performance and ability. The phenomenon is affected and also exists within the school sport. The influence of school sports on the phenomena is positive and negative. The pupils show clear links between the school sport and the three phenomena of stress, performance anxiety and grading.   Keywords: stress, performance anxiety, grading, school sports / Elever idag sätter höga krav på sin prestation och att få goda resultat är något som blivit likt en tvångstanke. Stress i skolan och prestationsångest är något som tidigare studier visat på. Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka elevers upplevelse av stress, prestationsångest och betygshets i skolmiljön med främst fokus på skolidrotten. Uppsatsen och studien är baserad på kvalitativ forskningsmetod. Datasamlingsmetoden bestod av tre semistrukturerade fokusgruppsintervjuer. Två av grupperna bestod av fyra elever i varje grupp, med 50/50 könsfördelning. Den tredje gruppen bestod av fem elever där två var killar och resten var tjejer. Under fokusgruppsintervjuerna fick eleverna tolka och reflektera över de tre fenomenen stress, prestationsångest och betygshets. De diskuterade och reflekterade även över skolidrottens påverkan. Elevernas uppfattning av de olika fenomenen speglas till stor del i skolmiljön samt skolidrotten. Stressen är till stor del kopplad till betygen. Prestationsångesten går att knyta an till stressen men även till betygshetsen och att eleverna har väldigt höga krav på sin egna prestation och förmåga. Fenomenen påverkas och existerar även inom skolidrotten. Skolidrottens påverkan på fenomenen är positiva och negativa. Eleverna visar tydliga samband mellan skolidrotten och de tre fenomenen stress, prestationsångest och betygshets.   Nyckelord: stress, prestationsångest, betygshets, skolidrott

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

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