the psychology of goal achievement and performance
TRANSCRIPT
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Achievement and the Theory
of Challenge & Threat States
Richard Fryer
Jan 2015
@perfmindsets
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The pursuit of achievement requires
us to step out of our comfort zones
… this can be
challenging
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How does this picture
make you feel?
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Interpretation of the somatic
response
• Increased heart rate
• Sweating
• Muscle tension
• Shortness of breath
• Tightening of vocal chords
• Need to visit bathroom
“ANXIETY / FEAR”
“EXCITEMENT”
It is important to note that the somatic response is the same regardless of label 4
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Framing…
“There is nothing either good or
bad, but thinking makes it so”
Hamlet, Scene 2, Act 2
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Interpretation matters
“ANXIETY / FEAR”
“EXCITEMENT”
THREAT STATE
(Fight / Flight)
CHALLENGE STATE
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What’s in a label?
• Increase in epinephrine
• Reduction in Total Peripheral
Vascular Resistance (TPR)
• Increased blood flow
• Efficient mobilisation of energy
Positive interpretation of anxiety
• Better decisions
• Better task engagement
• Cognitive function increased
Psychological
Physiological
Outcomes
Challenge State
• Increase in cortisol
• Stable or increasing TPR
• No change in blood flow
• Energy less immediately
available
Negative interpretation of anxiety
• Avoidance strategies
• Poorer task engagement
• Cognitive function decreased
Threat State
Our psychological orientation dictates our
physiology, which in turn drives performance
Performance negatively affectedPerformance positively affected
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The goals we set determine our state…
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Towards or Away?
“Achieve
personal best”
“Avoid losing”
“Be better than
others / Win”
“Avoid performing
below best”
AP
PR
OA
CH
ING
AV
OID
AN
CE
Absolute/Intrapersonal
MASTERY
Normative
PERFORMANCE
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Challenge or Threat?
* Challenge State if efficacy and control are also high
“Achieve
personal best”
“Avoid losing”
“Be better than
others / Win”
“Avoid performing
below best”
AP
PR
OA
CH
ING
AV
OID
AN
CE
Absolute/Intrapersonal
MASTERY
Normative
PERFORMANCE
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Encouraging Challenge States
• Self Efficacy Confidence and belief in one’s ability
• Control Perceived ability to use skills and to
ignore non-controllables
• Approach Focus encourage achievement over
avoidance
The following factors have been shown to positively impact the
likelihood that an individual will react positively to ‘stressors’
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References
• Elliot, A. J. & McGregor, H. A. (2001). A 2 X 2 Achievement
Goal Framework. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,
80(3), 501-519.
• Jones, M., Meijen, C., McCarthy, P. J., & Sheffield, D. (2009). A
Theory of Challenge and Threat States in Athletes. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 2(2),
161-180.
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About the author
Richard completed his psychology undergraduate degree in
2005 and was awarded a Masters in Sport and Exercise Psychology with distinction from Staffordshire University in 2013.
Richard has 18 years’ corporate experience in the UK and
Australia working with organisations ranging in size from 1,000
to 50,000 in the areas of Organisational Development and
performance improvement.
Richard can be contacted at [email protected]
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