Murphy, S. M., & Woolfolk, R. L. (1987). The effects of cognitive interventions on competitive anxiety and performance on a fine motor skill accuracy task. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 18, 152-166.

Undergraduates (N = 61) were evaluated on a golf putting task. Three groups were:

• a cognitive-behavioral stress reduction group (pre-performance success imagery, positive self-talk, cue-controlled relaxation via paced respiration, and suggestions for using performance feedback to evaluate ongoing performance),
• psyching-up arousal group (listening to exciting sport broadcasts, pep talk exhortations (e.g., "never give up") and stirring music), and
• control.

Pre- and post-intervention measures were made.

The following were found.

1. The stress reduction group showed greater reduction in Tension Scale and STAI scores than the other two groups.
2. Performances did not change significantly between any of the groups.

Implication. Psychological interventions that are valid for performance improvements once skills are learned, may not be effective in the learning stages of tasks.

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