Showing papers in "The Journal of Sport Psychology in 1983"
TL;DR: This article conducted a more comprehensive review of existing research using the meta-analytic strategy proposed by Glass (1977) and found that mental practice prior to performing a motor skill can enhance one's subsequent performance.
Abstract: A longstanding research question in the sport psychology literature has been whether a given amount of mental practice prior to performing a motor skill will enhance one's subsequent performance. The research literature, however, has not provided any clear-cut answers to this question and this has prompted the present, more comprehensive review of existing research using the meta-analytic strategy proposed by Glass (1977). From the 60 studies yielding 146 effect sizes the overall average effect size was .48, which suggests, as did Richardson (1967a), that mentally practicing a motor skill influences performance somewhat better than no practice at all. Effect sizes were also compared on a number of variables thought to moderate the effects of mental practice. Results from these comparisons indicated that studies employing cognitive tasks had larger average effect sizes than motor or strength tasks and that published studies had larger average effect sizes than unpublished studies. These findings are discus...
1,145 citations
TL;DR: The authors found a quadratic trend in preference for training and instruction which progressively decreased from high school midget, through junior to senior levels and increased at the university level; however, the direction of this trend was opposite to that predicted.
Abstract: The purpose of the study was to determine if preferences of athletes for training and instruction (task-oriented) behavior and social support (relationship-oriented) behavior would vary with athletic maturity (operationalized in terms of level of competition). Basketball players from high school midget (n = 67), junior (n = 63), and senior (n = 63) divisions and university (n = 69) completed the “preferred leader behavior” version of the Leadership Scale for Sports. Trend analyses revealed the presence of a quadratic trend in preference for training and instruction which progressively decreased from high school midget, through junior to senior levels and increased at the university level; however, the direction of this trend was opposite to that predicted. A linear trend was obtained for social support which progressively increased from the high school midget level to the university level but, again, it was in a direction opposite than that predicted. It was noted that future research should incorporate b...
178 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a survey assessing psychological factors associated with training and competition in open and closed-skill sports was conducted, and the authors found that self-confidence and concentration, as well as self-talk items, distinguished qualifiers from non-qualifiers within and between each sport type.
Abstract: Elite wrestlers (n = 39) and divers (n = 44), representing open- and closed-skill sports, respectively, completed a survey assessing psychological factors associated with training and competition. Of particular interest were factors distinguishing qualifiers from nonqualifiers within and between each sport type. Discriminant analyses and t-tests revealed that as expected self-confidence and concentration distinguished qualifiers from nonqualifiers in both sport groups. Also, as predicted, use of imagery differentiated only the qualifying from the nonqualifying divers. Self-talk items also distinguished the two diving groups on more items than they differentiated the wrestlers. However, when all elite divers were compared with their wrestling counterparts, no differences were found for the imagery scale and self-talk frequency, instruction, and praise items. Anticipatory anxiety patterns for divers and wrestlers were different, with successful divers and less successful wrestlers reporting higher precompet...
138 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a series of eight slides were shown to male and female athletes and nonathletes and the subjects rated the unacceptability-acceptability of the behavior shown on each slide on a scale of 1 to 4 (totally unacceptable-totally acceptable).
Abstract: Some sport scientists have suggested that various rule violating behaviors (including aggressive player behavior) are normative behaviors perceived to be “legitimate violations” by participants (e.g., Silva, 1981; Vaz, 1979). In an attempt to determine if sport socialization influences the degree of perceived legitimacy of rule violating sport behavior, 203 male and female athletes and nonathletes were shown a series of eight slides. Seven of these slides clearly depicted rule violating behavior. The subjects rated the unacceptability-acceptability of the behavior shown on each slide on a scale of 1 to 4 (totally unacceptable-totally acceptable). Subjects were categorized according to: (a) gender, (b) amount of physical contact, (c) highest level of organized sport participation, and (d) years of participation. Regression and polynomial regressions indicated that male respondents rated rule violating behavior significantly more acceptable than females. Trend analyses on the other categorical variables ind...
131 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a study was conducted to assess perceived sources of stress in junior elite wrestlers, including fear of failure-feelings of inadequacy, external control-guilt, and social evaluation.
Abstract: This investigation was designed to assess perceived sources of stress in junior elite wrestlers. Wrestlers (N = 458) participating in the United States Wrestling Federation Junior National Championships rated the frequency with which they typically experienced 33 sources of stress before competitions. Descriptive statistics revealed that performing up to one's ability, improving on one's last performance, participating in championship meets, not wrestling well, and losing were identified as major sources of stress. Factor analytic results showed that the 33 sources of stress loaded on three factors, including: fear of failure-feelings of inadequacy, external control-guilt, and social evaluation. Multiple regression analyses revealed that both wrestler trait anxiety and years of wrestling experience were significant predictors of the fear of failure-feelings of inadequacy factor, while trait anxiety also was found to be a significant predictor of the social evaluation factor. Although both the most and lea...
127 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the role of general and task-specific self-efficacy in women's intercollegiate gymnastics and assessed the reliability and validity of the Physical Self-Efficacy Scale in a competitive sport setting.
Abstract: Interest in the role of self-confidence in sport performance has been high in sport psychology research A measure to assess general physical self-efficacy has recently been developed, but without application to competitive sport performance The present study examined the role of general and task-specific self-efficacy in women's intercollegiate gymnastics It also assessed the reliability and validity of the Physical Self-Efficacy Scale in a competitive sport setting The Physical Self-Efficacy Scale was found to be a reliable and valid instrument for measuring an individual's general physical self-efficacy in sport However, the task-specific measures of self-efficacy and the gymnast's prediction of how they would perform proved to be much more powerful variables for predicting actual gymnastic performance The results are discussed in terms of the relationships between different types of self-efficacy and sport performance and the problems associated with self-efficacy measurement
126 citations
TL;DR: The competitive trait anxiety of 316 male youth soccer participants was assessed prior to the start of a season as mentioned in this paper, and the responses of players in the upper and lower quartiles indicated that high-anxious players expected to play less well and experience greater shame, upset, and more frequent criticism from parents and coaches in the event of poor performance.
Abstract: The competitive trait anxiety of 316 male youth soccer participants was assessed prior to the start of a season. Players' performance expectancies, anticipated affective reactions to success-failure, expectations of criticism for failure, performance- and evaluation-related worries, perceived competence, and self-esteem also were recorded. The responses of players in the upper (n = 79) and lower (n = 84) competitive trait-anxiety quartiles indicated that, as predicted, high-anxious players expected to play less well and experience greater shame, upset, and more frequent criticism from parents and coaches in the event of poor performance. Even when these expectancies were controlled, high-anxious players worried more frequently than low-anxious players about not playing well, losing, and being evaluated by parents, coaches, and teammates. No between-group differences existed in players' self-perceived athletic competence or in their ability as rated by coaches. Competitive trait anxiety was weakly related ...
120 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the relationship between self-efficacy and back-diving performance and physiological arousal (heart rate) in female college students attempting a modified-back dive, and found that selfefficacy was the mediator of past performance accomplishments, physiological arousal, and autonomic perception.
Abstract: The present investigation was designed to replicate and extend the Feltz (1982) study of the causal elements in Bandura's (1977) theory of self-efficacy. Path analysis techniques were employed to investigate the predictions based on Bandura's model of self-efficacy, along with the additional influence of autonomic perception on the approach/avoidance behavior of female college students (N = 80) attempting a modified-back dive. The Bandura model predicted a reciprocal relationship between self-efficacy and back-diving performance, and between self-efficacy and physiological arousal (heart rate). It was also predicted that autonomic perception was a better predictor of self-efficacy than was physiological arousal, but not better than previous back-diving performance. Additionally, self-efficacy was hypothesized to be the mediator of past performance accomplishments, physiological arousal, and autonomic perception on back-diving performance. Bandura's model was tested against a “full” model that included per...
116 citations
113 citations
TL;DR: A survey of 459 marathoners varying in age, sex, ability, and experience was conducted to assess their reasons for running a marathon, the outcomes derived, and their experiences during a marathon.
Abstract: This study was designed to examine some of the psychosocial factors underlying the recent marathon boom. A survey of 459 marathoners varying in age, sex, ability, and experience was conducted to assess their reasons for running a marathon, the outcomes derived, and their experiences during a marathon. Information was also sought regarding the psychological aspects of running in general, particularly the concept of addiction to running. Measures of addiction to running produced a consistent pattern of sex differences, with females evidencing higher levels of addiction than males. With respect to reasons for running a marathon and perceived outcomes, some interesting trends were evident as a function of age. It was suggested that the attraction of the marathon to people of all ages and abilities may lie partly in its unique ability to satisfy a wide range of needs, both extrinsic and intrinsic.
103 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors assess the relationship between the amount of positive verbal feedback presented and the ensuing intrinsic motivation of male hockey players toward a hockey-related task and find that subjects receiving positive verbal reinforcement displayed a much higher level of intrinsic motivation and experienced higher levels of feelings of competence than subjects in the control group.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between the amount of positive verbal feedback presented and the ensuing intrinsic motivation of male hockey players toward a hockey-related task. The subjects were 50 male hockey players 13-16 years of age who performed on an interesting task consisting of 24 slides that allowed the subject to test his decision-making abilities in simulated hockey situations. Subjects performed on the task and received either 6, 12, 18, 24 (on every trial or slide), or no positive verbal reinforcements regarding their performance. Following their participation on the task, subjects answered an intrinsic motivation questionnaire and a question on feelings of competence. Results indicated that subjects receiving positive verbal feedback displayed a much higher level of intrinsic motivation and experienced higher levels of feelings of competence than subjects in the control group, irrespective of the amount of feedback presented. Further, no other differences were fou...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the effects of winning and losing at table-tennis on causal attributions using the Causal Dimension Scale, a measure that allows the respondent to record a causal statement and indicate how he or she perceives that causal attribution in terms of causal dimensions.
Abstract: One of the more problematic methodological issues in attributional research has been the accurate classification, by researchers, of causal attributions made by respondents along causal dimensions. Closed-ended and open-ended approaches have been logical but limiting solutions to assessing attributions. Russell (1982) has the Causal Dimension Scale, a measure that allows the respondent to record a causal statement and indicate how he or she perceives that causal attribution in terms of causal dimensions. The present study examined the effects of winning and losing at table-tennis upon causal attributions using the Causal Dimension Scale. Reliability of the measure was assessed in a sport setting and the relationship between respondents' perceptions of attributions in terms of causal dimensions and judges' perception of the same were examined. The Causal Dimension Scale was found to be a reliable measure of how individuals perceive attributions in terms of causal dimensions. Winners' attributions were more...
TL;DR: This paper examined the relationship between the dimensions underlying causal attributions (termed causal dimensions) and affective reactions to performance outcomes in table tennis and found that the controllability dimension appeared to be the most influential causal dimension.
Abstract: Previous research in academic achievement settings has indicated that causal attributions for success and failure outcomes are important determinants of affective reactions to those outcomes. This study examined the relationships between the dimensions underlying causal attributions (termed causal dimensions) and affective reactions to performance outcomes in table tennis. Attribution processes were found to be important determinants of affective reactions, particularly for winners. In contrast to previous findings, the locus of causality dimension was not found to be an important determinant of affect. Instead, the controllability dimension appeared to be the most influential causal dimension. The implications of these findings for research on attribution-affect relationships are discussed.
TL;DR: This paper examined precompetitive and competitive anxiety patterns of junior elite wrestlers in the United States Wrestling Federation Junior National Championships and found no significant differences in precompetitive or competitive anxiety between successful and less successful wrestlers.
Abstract: The present study was designed to examine precompetitive and competitive anxiety patterns of junior elite wrestlers Specifically, 458 wrestlers participating in the United States Wrestling Federation Junior National Championships rated their typical levels of anxiety at various times prior to and during competitions The relationships between success, years wrestling experience, age, trait anxiety, and precompetitive and competitive state anxiety were examined using both univariate and regression analyses Contrary to previous studies, no significant differences were found in precompetitive and competitive anxiety patterns between successful and less successful as well as more and less experienced wrestlers In addition, age was not found to be related to either precompetitive or competitive anxiety Consistent with the previous research, however, significant anxiety differences were found between high as compared to low trait anxious wrestlers Descriptive statistics summarized across the entire sample
TL;DR: A content analysis of sport psychological research conducted on children and youth over the last decade reveals that few studies selected age groups for investigation that were based on underlying cognitive-developmental criteria.
Abstract: A developmental theoretical approach is recommended as the most appropriate framework from which to study children's psychosocial experiences in sport. This perspective provides the best understanding of children's sport behaviors by focusing on ontogenetic changes in cognitive abilities which help to describe and explain behavioral variations among individuals. A content analysis of sport psychological research conducted on children and youth over the last decade reveals that few studies selected age groups for investigation that were based on underlying cognitive-developmental criteria. Thus, recommendations emanating from these studies may be misleading or inaccurate. Examples of developmental research from the psychological and sport psychological literature are provided to illustrate the potential for conducting further research on the psychosocial development of children in sport. Finally, guidelines for implementing a systematic line of research in sport psychology from a developmental perspective ...
TL;DR: In this article, mental practice effects were examined using two tasks judged to differ only in the degree of motor involvement, and it was concluded that performance improvement through mental practice takes place predominantly within the cognitive aspects of motor skills.
Abstract: To test the cognitive-motor hypothesis, mental practice effects were examined using two tasks judged to differ only in the degree of motor involvement. Male college students (N = 60) learned either the high motor task or the low motor task under conditions of physical practice (PP), mental practice (MP), or no practice (NP). On each task, the PP group received 12 physical trials; the MP group received one physical, nine mental, then two physical trials; and the NP group received one physical trial, a rest period, and then two physical trials. As predicted, the relative effectiveness of mental practice differed between the two tasks. On the low motor task there was no difference between MP and PP and both groups were superior to NP (p < .05). For the high motor task MP was no better than NP and PP was superior to both (p < .05). It was concluded that performance improvement through mental practice takes place predominantly within the cognitive aspects of motor skills.
TL;DR: In this article, it is maintained that a balance among theory testing, applied research, and dissemination, though an ideal goal for sport psychology, is not being achieved because theory testing has not kept pace.
Abstract: It is maintained that a balance among theory testing, applied research, and dissemination, though an ideal goal for sport psychology, is not being achieved because theory testing has not kept pace. To explain the rise and decline of theory testing in sport psychology a historical perspective was used. Whereas sport psychology from 1950-1965 was characterized by empiricism, from 1966-1976 it was characterized by a social analysis approach used to test single theories with novel tasks in a laboratory setting. In contrast to the earlier approaches, it is recommended that contemporary sport psychologists (a) use more meta-analyses to recheck the conclusions of past reviews, (b) become less reliant on a single research method or setting, (c) avoid premature commitments to a theory, and (d) become less enamored with statistically based null hypothesis testing. A number of suggestions are offered and examples provided to encourage, where appropriate, the use of “strong inference,” a more eclectic employment of r...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the relationship between objective, social, and temporal performance indices and fan support of major league baseball teams and found that the negative relationship between temporal performance and support was unexpected.
Abstract: Two studies examined the relationship between objective, social, and temporal performance indices and fan support of major league baseball teams. In the first study, per game attendance figures for 22 major league teams were regressed on the performance indices. Attendance was found to be positively related to objective and social performance and negatively related to temporal performance. These results were replicated in the second study when season ticket sales for five major league teams was the dependent variable. Although the objective and social results were consistent with expectations, the negative relationship between temporal performance and fan support was unexpected. Primacy effects and regression toward the mean are offered as explanations for this latter finding. The results of both studies are considered in terms of the optimum marketing strategy for professional team sports.
TL;DR: A critical evaluation of existing approaches to the study of sport attribution is presented in this paper, highlighting the typical characteristics of such investigations and their problems, some inherited from psychology and others unique to sport.
Abstract: In adopting attribution theory, researchers in the field of sport psychology have followed the cognitive perspectives characteristic of mainstream investigations in this area. Numerous investigations regarding the self-perception of achievement outcomes in sport reveal this trend. The present article discusses the sport psychological perspective of attribution theory in terms of present and future concerns. First, a critical evaluation of existing approaches to the study of sport attribution is presented. The discussion outlines the typical characteristics of such investigations and their problems, some inherited from psychology and others unique to sport. This critical analysis underscores the narrowness of previous interests. Second, the broad scope of attribution is presented to emphasize the wealth of research problems that could be studied, in addition to those concerning self-focus on achievement outcomes. Third, recent investigations of attribution in sport are briefly described to exemplify new re...
TL;DR: A number of experiments have demonstrated the considerable potential of behavior modification techniques for improving performance of beginners in sport and physical education as discussed by the authors, and a consistent behavioral analysis of factors that influence the development and maintenance of athletic behavior.
Abstract: A number of experiments have demonstrated the considerable potential of behavior modification techniques for improving performance of beginners in sport and physical education. Several books have presented a consistent behavioral analysis of factors that influence the development and maintenance of athletic behavior. From these sources, an approach is beginning to emerge that might be called "effective behavioral coaching." This paper discusses six characteristics that appear to make this approach distinctive and potentially valuable for coaches.
TL;DR: In this paper, the current methodological and theoretical issues in psychophysiology are reviewed and then specifically related to recent sport studies that demonstrate their applicability to the enhancement of both theoretical and applied aspects of sport.
Abstract: An area of inquiry that has largely been ignored in scientific studies in the field of sport psychology/motor performance is the subdiscipline of psychology called psychophysiology. This subdiscipline, which is concerned with inferences of psychological processes and emotional states from an examination of physiological measures, is rich in methodological and theoretical insights that could improve research and practice within sport psychology/motor performance. The current methodological and theoretical issues in psychophysiology are first reviewed and then specifically related to recent sport studies that demonstrate their applicability to the enhancement of both theoretical and applied aspects of sport.
TL;DR: In this article, four major cognitive theories of emotion in sport were reviewed and evaluated. Theories were selected on the basis of their pertinence to a social psychological study of emotions in sport.
Abstract: This paper presents and critically assesses four major cognitive theories of emotion. Theories were selected on the basis of their pertinence to a social psychological study of emotion in sport. Four cognitive theories of emotion by Schachter (1964), Lazarus (1966), Arnold (1960), and Weiner (1981) were reviewed. Strengths and weaknesses of these theories were examined. Cognitive theories of emotion were also shown to be amenable to theoretical research in sport. It was suggested that a comprehensive theory of emotion in sport should incorporate aspects of different cognitive theories of emotion thus leading to a better understanding and prediction of emotion in sport settings. Such a comprehensive theory, however, must await future research. Issues for a social psychology of emotion in sport were formulated. It was argued that emotion research in sport should be incorporated within a social psychological framework. To this end it was suggested that a better understanding of the antecedents and consequenc...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors suggest that defining sport psychology by what sport psychologists do or by who offers services may permit, but cannot ensure, professional competence, and that an acceleration is needed in development of applied technology and theory through creation of sport psychology models rather than exclusive reliance on applying clinical or educational models borrowed from general psychology.
Abstract: Recent views of professional concerns facing sport psychology have not addressed academic dimensions of service delivery. The perspective developed in this paper suggests that defining sport psychology by what sport psychologists do or by who offers services may permit, but cannot ensure, professional competence. The assumption is made that in order for a field of study to sanction applied services it must possess an applied body of knowledge and a reliable technology. The current availability of these for sport is not clear. It is proposed that an acceleration is needed in development of applied technology and theory through creation of sport psychology models rather than exclusive reliance on applying clinical or educational models borrowed from general psychology. It is also proposed that errors associated with available techniques be better defined. Scientific cautions are re-emphasized in the hope that issues over professional services not overshadow the need for a reciprocity between applied questio...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors assess the relationship between athletes' attentional styles as measured by Nideffer's (1976) Test of Attentional and Interpersonal Style and a performance component, decision making.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between athletes' attentional styles as measured by Nideffer's (1976 a, b) Test of Attentional and Interpersonal Style and a performance component, decision making. More making abilities and then divided into good, average, and poor decision makers. It was hypothesized that good, relative to average, and poor decision makers would display a more positive “scan” factor (higher BET, BIT, INFP scales) and a more adequate “focus” factor (low OET, and OIT, but high NAR scales). Results from the analyses of variance revealed no significant differences among the three groups. Furthermore, a discriminant analysis on the good and poor decision makers revealed no clear picture. The present results support Van Schoyck and Grasha's (1981) conclusion that the Test of Attentional and Interpersonal Styles does not seem to be sensitive enough to pick up differences in attentional style between performers of different levels.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors compared players and nonplayers for speed and accuracy of performance in a task involving detection of the presence of a volleyball in rapidly presented slides of a Volleyball situation.
Abstract: Volleyball players and nonplayers were compared for speed and accuracy of performance in a task involving detection of the presence of a volleyball in rapidly presented slides of a volleyball situation. Slides depicted both game and nongame situations, and subjects performed the task in both noncompetitive and competitive conditions. For all subjects, game information was perceived more quickly and accurately than nongame information. In competition all subjects showed decreased perceptual accuracy and no change in criterion, supporting the Easterbrook (1959) notion of perceptual narrowing with stress. Very large accompanying increases in response speed, however, suggested that competition may induce adoption of a particular speed-accuracy trade-off. Cognitive flexibility in the adoption of particular speed-accuracy trade-offs is discussed with reference to volleyball.
TL;DR: Gymnastics judges, scoring videotaped routines, were subjected to false feedback in the form of artificially high or low scores to determine if selected psychological differences between judges would have an effect on the amount of influence observed due to the false feedback as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Gymnastics judges, scoring videotaped routines, were subjected to false feedback in the form of artificially high or low scores to determine if selected psychological differences between judges would have an effect on the amount of influence observed due to the false feedback. The subjects were 24 certified male gymnastics judges. Half of the subjects were randomly assigned to score routines on a videotape in which, through editing procedures, high falsified scores appeared in the background of the tape following each routine. The remaining subjects scored the same routines from a second tape in which low falsified scores appeared. An ANOVA revealed that judges' scores were significantly affected by the false feedback (p < .001). Further analysis revealed that judges who scored high on dominance, autonomy, deference, and internal locus of control were significantly less influenced than judges who scored low on those variables.
TL;DR: In this paper, a review examined the premise that running is a useful therapeutic strategy in the treatment of depressive states and concluded that definitive conclusions regarding the antidepressant properties of running are currently unwarranted.
Abstract: The present review examined the premise that running is a useful therapeutic strategy in the treatment of depressive states. Four of the major theoretical treatment models of depression were outlined to demonstrate how each conceptualized the relationship of running to improvement in mood. Research was then examined that linked running to improvement in psychological variables other than depression. Finally, research directly pertaining to the effects of running on depression was reviewed. Discussion of conceptual and methodological problems of this research indicated that definitive conclusions regarding the antidepressant properties of running are currently unwarranted. Specific guidelines and refinements for future research were provided.
TL;DR: In this article, a laboratory analogue paradigm was used that included a basketball-like underhand free throw task in which subjects first were instructed on proper technique and then took 10 baseline shots (trials) followed by 2 blocks of 20 trials each.
Abstract: In this study, experimenters (pseudo-coaches) provided feedback that varied in valence, sequence, and amount to 50 male college students. A laboratory analogue paradigm was used that included a basketball-like underhand free throw task in which subjects first were instructed on proper technique and then took 10 baseline shots (trials) followed by 2 blocks of 20 trials each. Subjects were randomly assigned. Some interacted with a pseudo-coach who made no comments during the two experimental trial blocks (control), while others received feedback (6-8 comments per trial block) that was response-specific, emotionally oriented, and provided in one of four sequences: positive-positive, negative-negative, positive-negative, or negative-positive. Based on prior research on coach behavior and social psychological studies of interpersonal behavior, we hypothesized that both of the continuous feedback groups would show performance decrements and associated reactions to the coach and the task. These predictions were ...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the relationship between precompetitive state anxiety and performance for three different ability levels and found that those with lower levels of state anxiety would perform better than those with higher levels of anxiety.
Abstract: Researchers have reported a relationship between precompetitive state anxiety and performance (e.g., Gerson & Deshaies, 1977; Highlen & Bennett, 1979; Weinberg & Genuchi, 1980) and between skill level and precompetitive state anxiety (e.g., Meyers, Cooke, Cullen, & Liles, 1979). Performance may be a function of both psychological factors and ability (Henson, 1976, p. 41). If so, ability differences may confound interpretations of the anxiety performance relationships (Katahan, 1966). Research which does not directly account for ability may miss more complicated relationships such as an anxiety/ability interaction (Spielberger, 1962; Hodges & Durham, 1972), or may produce spurious correlations between anxiety and performance which may stem from ability rather than anxiety. The present research, as well as attempting to replicate earlier findings regarding the relationship between precompetitive state anxiety and performance, sought to extend this work by focusing on the relationship between anxiety and performance for three different ability levels. It was hypothesized that golfers exhibiting lower levels of precompetitive state anxiety would perform better than golfers exhibiting higher levels of precompetitive state anxiety (Oxendine, 1979). It was further hypothesized that this relationship between state anxiety and performance would be similar at three different levels of golf ability.