2- Arousal

Question 1

Define arousal

Answer 1

An energised state, a readiness to perform

-arousal is present before, during and after sport in varying level

Question 2

Is arousal important?

Answer 2

• the correct amount can push people to perform at the best level- at their optimum
• too little or too much can cause problems
• aim to achieve peak performance

Question 3

Increases in arousal can be caused by…

Answer 3

• simply being watched
• by a challenging situation such as a major game
• knowing that your opposing player such as the attacker you’re defending has a better sporting ability than you in that sport

Question 4

What does the drive theory suggest?

Answer 4

-that a person has a best performance when they have a high level of arousal

Question 5

Drive theory (hull 1943)

Answer 5

• initial motivation causes increased drive, more effort, more success and repetition of the same response.
• increased in a linear function
• is explained by the formula:

                         P = F (DxH)

Question 6

However…

Answer 6

The dominant response suggests that at high arousal we pick up less information and focus on the dominant response

Question 7

Drive theory image:

Answer 7

-performance= habit strength x drive
(P = HD)
-the more an elite sports performer is aroused the better their performance due to the dominant response being chosen is habitual.
-the more a beginner sports person is aroused the dominant response may be incorrect and high levels of arousal can cause a determination in performance.

Question 8

What is the Zone of optimal functioning-

Answer 8

-the area of controlled arousal and high performance

Question 9

Performer A-

Answer 9

> low zone of optimal functioning
-A darts player-as darts requires your heart rate to be low and therefore a low level of arousal would be required to reach your optimal performance

Question 10

Performer B-

Answer 10

> moderate zone of optimal functioning
-trampolining-your heart rate does not need to be very high however the performer needs to be able to get into a comfortable state of mind to be able to reach their optimal performance

Question 11

Performer C-

Answer 11

> high zone of optimal functioning
-A rugby player-this is because a rugby player needs a high level of arousal as the game includes a high level of aggression and the game is played at high speed therefore if a player was under aroused their performance can be affected

Question 12

The inverted U theory

Answer 12

• Increased arousal improves performance but only to a moderate level, after which more arousal causes performance to suffer
• under and over arousal can be equally bad for performance
• The optimal level of arousal can vary within this as skill level, personality of the performer and task undertaken have an affect

Question 13

Personality at low and high arousal

Answer 13

Low:
-Introverts perform best because they already have a high adrenaline levels

High:
-extroverts can tolerate extra adrenaline

Question 14

Experience at low and high arousal

Answer 14

Low:
-A novice performs best because they need to concentrate on lots of information. Uncomfortable under pressure, incorporates a dominant response

High:
-experts are used to the pressure and can operate on limited information. A dominant response is mainly correct

Question 15

Type of task at low and high arousal

Answer 15

Low:
-Fine and complex skills are performed best because they require control and decision-making

High:
-Gross and simple skills are perform best because they need less control and decision-making

Question 16

The inverted u theory

Answer 16

Yerkes-Dodson law (1908)

Question 17

Problems with the inverted U theory

Answer 17

• Critics question if optimal arousal always occurs at the midpoint of the curve
• Critics say that one curve does not explain the different optimal levels of arousal needed for simple or complex tasks

Question 18

What is the Catastrophe theory?

Answer 18

-it is an adaptation of the inverted U theory.

Question 19

What does the catastrophe theory suggest?

Answer 19

• It suggests that increased arousal improves performance to a point but an intense combination of somatic (muscular tension, increased HR) and cognitive (loss of concentration, fear of performance) anxiety causes a dramatic deterioration in performance
• A player can only recover if initial anxiety is low and there is time available
• players may not recover