How do performers prepare mentally for sport, and what motivates them?
Mental preparation techniques and the effect of arousal on performance, and the types of motivation (intrinsic and extrinsic) and how they affect a performer.
A focused answer to the WJEC GCSE PE topic on mental preparation and motivation, covering mental preparation techniques, the effect of arousal on performance, and the types of motivation (intrinsic and extrinsic) and how each affects a performer.
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What this dot point is asking
WJEC wants you to describe mental preparation techniques and the effect of arousal on performance, and explain the types of motivation (intrinsic and extrinsic) and how they affect a performer.
Arousal
Arousal affects performance:
- too little arousal leads to a flat, under-prepared performance with poor concentration,
- too much arousal causes anxiety, tension and rushed, error-prone movements,
- a moderate, controlled level usually produces the best performance.
Fine, precise skills (a golf putt) generally need lower arousal, while powerful, gross actions (a rugby tackle) can cope with higher arousal.
Mental preparation techniques
Performers use these techniques to reach the right mental state:
- Mental rehearsal (visualisation): going over the performance in the mind, picturing a successful action. Builds confidence, focuses on correct technique and reduces nerves.
- Deep breathing: slow, controlled breaths to lower arousal and heart rate, calming the performer.
- Positive self-talk: telling yourself encouraging things ("I can do this") to build confidence and block out negative thoughts.
- Listening to music: to raise arousal and focus before an event, or to relax and calm nerves.
The technique chosen depends on whether the performer needs to calm down or psych up.
Types of motivation
- Intrinsic motivation: comes from within the performer, such as the enjoyment, personal satisfaction and pride of taking part and improving. It is lasting because it does not depend on anyone else.
- Extrinsic motivation: comes from outside, such as rewards (medals, trophies, money) and praise from others. It works well in the short term and for beginners, but a performer who only plays for rewards may give up when they stop.
The best approach often uses extrinsic rewards to encourage a performer early on while building intrinsic motivation so they keep going for the love of the sport.
Why this matters
Mental preparation and motivation tie the psychology area together: goal setting raises motivation, feedback affects confidence, and the right arousal level supports clear information processing during play. Together they explain the mental side of producing a skilled performance.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
WJEC style4 marksDescribe two mental preparation techniques a performer could use before a competition and explain how each helps.Show worked answer →
A 4-mark question: two marks for each technique (the method and how it helps).
Mental rehearsal (visualisation) is going over the performance in the mind before doing it, picturing a successful action. This helps by building confidence, focusing the mind on the correct technique and reducing nerves. Deep breathing is taking slow, controlled breaths before performing. This helps by lowering arousal and heart rate, calming the performer so they can control their movements and concentrate.
Markers reward any two valid techniques (mental rehearsal, deep breathing, positive self-talk, listening to music) each with a clear explanation of how it helps performance.
WJEC style5 marksExplain the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and discuss which is better for keeping a performer involved in sport long term.Show worked answer →
A 5-mark question: marks for the definitions and marks for a reasoned discussion.
Intrinsic motivation comes from within the performer: the personal satisfaction, enjoyment and pride of taking part and improving. Extrinsic motivation comes from outside: rewards such as medals, trophies, money or praise from others.
For keeping a performer involved long term, intrinsic motivation is generally better, because the enjoyment and sense of achievement last and do not depend on someone else giving a reward. Extrinsic rewards can be motivating in the short term and useful for beginners, but if a performer only takes part for rewards, they may give up when the rewards stop or become harder to win. A good approach uses extrinsic rewards to encourage early on while building intrinsic motivation so the performer keeps going for the love of the sport. Markers reward the clear definitions and a reasoned judgement, ideally noting that intrinsic motivation is more lasting.
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Sources & how we know this
- WJEC GCSE Physical Education specification (from 2016) — WJEC (2016)