• Feelings of anger are widely reported by athletes participating in sport. Frequent and intense displays of anger, including verbal and physical assaults, have been observed in a number of sports. Mismanaged anger has lead to fatalities and can have catastrophic consequences for performance. Until recently, limited research has explored the angerperformance relationship. The present chapter reviews the findings arising from recent research that has attempted to identify the performance implications of anger. The influence of anger on physical and cognitive subcomponents of performance is discussed and a variety of psychophysiological methodologies used to investigate the angerperformance relationship are outlined. The role of moderating variables such as individual difference variables including personality and anger specific coping styles are presented. Limitations of previous research are highlighted and recommendations for future studies are proposed. Using an emotion regulation framework, considerations for optimizing the influence of anger on performance are offered. Finally, suggestions for athletes, coaches, and applied sport psychology consultants are put forward with the aim of minimizing the potential negative effects of anger on interpersonal relationships and subsequent performance.

Subject headings

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Psykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Psychology (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

kap (subject category)