An exploration of the cognitive dispositions and mechanisms of challenge and threat: enhancing our understanding of performance under pressure

The relationship between challenge and threat states and performance has been well documented, but there are many aspects of this relationship that require attention. A greater understanding of the cognitive mechanisms which may best explain this relationship is needed, with the most appropriate methods of assessment and analysis requiring clarification. Such a comprehension would allow for a more intricate development of challenge-enhancing approaches, as well as an ability to appropriately assess the outcome of such methods. In essence, this explication would provide conceptual enhancement of the present TCTSA. Many, if not all, athletes stand to benefit from such works, particularly those who may be most ‘at-risk’ of approaching performance in a threat state. So, the aims of this thesis were fourfold: 1) to examine how individual variation in challenge and threat states following repeated exposure to pressure testing is associated with cognitive responses and performance, 2) to examine the role of a putative moderator of challenge and threat states (dispositional reinvestment), 3) to evaluate the cognitive mechanisms between these states and performance under pressure, and 4) to assess the feasibility of influencing challenge states to enhance cognitive responses of athletes under pressure. Overall, a greater comprehension of the TCTSA has been developed throughout this programme of research which should inform the work of researchers and practitioners. The sensitivity of measures overtime has been elucidated, a cognitive disposition has been identified, and a performance pathway of challenge and threat states has been evidenced. Ultimately, the feasibility of facilitating improved psychophysiological and cognitive responses over time for athletes has been substantiated. Mainly, this thesis offers an original contribution and an alternative focus to the current array of literature concerning the TCTSA. This was achieved by focusing on the decision-making pathway between challenge and threat states and performance, elaborating upon the ability to measure challenge and threat states over time, and the feasibility of manipulating these states to enhance the decision making of athletes. Together, work from this thesis should enable practitioners to implement and monitor bespoke challenge interventions/environments to enhance the decision-making ability of their athletes under pressure. Future researchers may consider assessing the cognitive effects of challenge-specific interventions longitudinally, perhaps spanning an entire pre-season, to better comprehend whether consistent challenge responses are possible. This would have both performance and well-being benefits for athletes.