Achievement and the Theory

of Challenge & Threat States

Richard Fryer

Jan 2015

@perfmindsets

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The pursuit of achievement requires

us to step out of our comfort zones

… this can be

challenging

2

How does this picture

make you feel?

3

Interpretation of the somatic

response

• Increased heart rate

• Sweating

• Muscle tension

• Shortness of breath

• Tightening of vocal chords

• Need to visit bathroom

“ANXIETY / FEAR”

“EXCITEMENT”

It is important to note that the somatic response is the same regardless of label 4

Framing…

“There is nothing either good or

bad, but thinking makes it so”

Hamlet, Scene 2, Act 2

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Interpretation matters

“ANXIETY / FEAR”

“EXCITEMENT”

THREAT STATE

(Fight / Flight)

CHALLENGE STATE

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What’s in a label?

• Increase in epinephrine

• Reduction in Total Peripheral

Vascular Resistance (TPR)

• Increased blood flow

• Efficient mobilisation of energy

Positive interpretation of anxiety

• Better decisions

• Better task engagement

• Cognitive function increased

Psychological

Physiological

Outcomes

Challenge State

• Increase in cortisol

• Stable or increasing TPR

• No change in blood flow

• Energy less immediately

available

Negative interpretation of anxiety

• Avoidance strategies

• Poorer task engagement

• Cognitive function decreased

Threat State

Our psychological orientation dictates our

physiology, which in turn drives performance

Performance negatively affectedPerformance positively affected

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The goals we set determine our state…

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Towards or Away?

“Achieve

personal best”

“Avoid losing”

“Be better than

others / Win”

“Avoid performing

below best”

AP

PR

OA

CH

ING

AV

OID

AN

CE

Absolute/Intrapersonal

MASTERY

Normative

PERFORMANCE

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Challenge or Threat?

* Challenge State if efficacy and control are also high

“Achieve

personal best”

“Avoid losing”

“Be better than

others / Win”

“Avoid performing

below best”

AP

PR

OA

CH

ING

AV

OID

AN

CE

Absolute/Intrapersonal

MASTERY

Normative

PERFORMANCE

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Encouraging Challenge States

• Self Efficacy Confidence and belief in one’s ability

• Control Perceived ability to use skills and to

ignore non-controllables

• Approach Focus encourage achievement over

avoidance

The following factors have been shown to positively impact the

likelihood that an individual will react positively to ‘stressors’

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References

• Elliot, A. J. & McGregor, H. A. (2001). A 2 X 2 Achievement

Goal Framework. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,

80(3), 501-519.

• Jones, M., Meijen, C., McCarthy, P. J., & Sheffield, D. (2009). A

Theory of Challenge and Threat States in Athletes. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 2(2),

161-180.

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About the author

Richard completed his psychology undergraduate degree in

2005 and was awarded a Masters in Sport and Exercise Psychology with distinction from Staffordshire University in 2013.

Richard has 18 years’ corporate experience in the UK and

Australia working with organisations ranging in size from 1,000

to 50,000 in the areas of Organisational Development and

performance improvement.

Richard can be contacted at rfryer75@gmail.com

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