Diffdrences in ego function between high and low-stage fright in sport

Abstract

This study reports on the relationship between stage fright in sport and ego function as predicted from Rorschach protoco1s. According to scores on Ichimura's stage fright questionnaire, along with confirmation by persons such as coaches and teammates, two subject groups were chosen from among 122 college male athletes: the high-stage fright group (H-SF Group)consisted of 12 athletes with the highest scores, and the low-stage fright group (L-SF Group)those with the lowest scores. These two groups were compared by the Klopfer's Rorschach Prognostic Rating Scale (RPRS). Both the raw and weighted scores in Sum (sammation), FM (animal movement response),and FL (form level) showed significant differences between the H-SF and L-SF groups, and in M (hunan movement response) the difference approached significance. The L-SF group scored higher than the H-SF group in these categories. The two groups were also compared on other scales. The L-SF group scored higher than the H-SF group on total responses (R), initial response time (R_1T), and average form level for each card. In addition, one case representative of each group was selected from another sample (N = 69), and they were examined in detail with the Rorschach test and in interview. The differences between these two cases were the same as those found in the first sample. And the subject with low-stage fright was more able to control emotional stimulus and livelier in mental activity than the other. On the basis of these results, the subjects were considered from the standpoint of ego function. The L-SF group was superior to the H-SF group in sensitivity to inner impulse, reality testing and the faculty of self-realization. Persons not suffering stage fright possess a strong ego with an active and rich inner world, an ego that is capable of handling anxietyderived from psychological objects and is active in adapting to the outer world (high growth motives) .The conclusion was drawn that the L-SF group has healthier ego strength than the H-SF group.