The frequency of both cognitive and somatic anxiety symptoms

The frequency of both cognitive and somatic anxiety symptoms

A decreases as competition draws nearer

B increases as competition draws nearer

C is unrelated to time of competition

D increases throughout competition

E b and c

The correct answer and explanation is:

The correct answer is: B. increases as competition draws nearer

Explanation:

Anxiety related to competition, especially in sports or performance settings, can be broadly categorized into cognitive anxiety and somatic anxiety:

• Cognitive anxiety refers to mental symptoms such as worry, negative expectations, and concerns about performance or failure.
• Somatic anxiety involves physiological symptoms such as increased heart rate, muscle tension, sweating, and butterflies in the stomach.

How Anxiety Changes Over Time Leading Up to Competition:

1. Increase as Competition Nears
   Research in sports psychology shows that both cognitive and somatic anxiety symptoms tend to increase as the competition approaches. This is because the individual becomes more aware of the upcoming challenge, raising worries and physiological arousal related to the event.
2. Cognitive Anxiety Patterns
   Cognitive anxiety usually builds gradually as athletes or performers mentally anticipate the event and ruminate on potential outcomes, fears of failure, or negative judgments.
3. Somatic Anxiety Patterns
   Somatic symptoms often intensify closer to the event as the body prepares to face the challenge—activating the fight-or-flight response, which leads to physical signs of nervousness.
4. Timing Effects
   The anxiety symptoms typically peak right before or during the early moments of the competition. After the event begins, some athletes may experience a decrease in anxiety as they become focused on performance rather than anticipation.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

• A (decreases as competition draws nearer): This is generally false. Anxiety tends to increase, not decrease, as the event approaches.
• C (unrelated to time of competition): Anxiety is strongly linked to timing—anticipation grows as the event nears.
• D (increases throughout competition): Anxiety usually spikes before or at the start but often decreases once the individual is engaged in the activity.
• E (b and c): Since C is incorrect, E is also incorrect.

Summary

Both cognitive and somatic anxiety symptoms typically increase as the competition approaches, reflecting the natural psychological and physiological preparation for a stressful, performance-based event. This pattern is a well-documented phenomenon in performance psychology and helps coaches and athletes plan strategies to manage anxiety effectively for optimal performance.