6.1.3 Arousal - Psychological influences on the individual

Question 1

Arousal

Answer 1

A level of activation, a degree of readiness to perform

Question 2

Drive theory

Answer 2

As arousal increases, so does performance. P=f(DxH). Performance is drive x habit strength. Increases in linear fashion

Question 3

Dominant response

Answer 3

The stand out response that the performer thinks is correct. For experts they will have correct responses to simple tasks. If the task is more complex or the performer is a novice the response may be impaired

Question 4

Inverted U theory

Answer 4

Theory linking arousal and performance by stating that increased arousal improves performance to a point at moderate levels of arousal

Question 5

Problems with Inverted U theory

Answer 5

One curve doesn’t explain the different optimal levels of arousal needed for simple and complex tasks. Different sports require different levels of arousal. Shooting needs low, hockey needs middle and boxing needs high

Question 6

Catastrophe theory

Answer 6

Theory suggesting that increased arousal improves performance to an optimal point but there is a dramatic reduction in performance when arousal increases beyond the optimal

Question 7

Impact of over arousal

Answer 7

Poor selective attention, cues missed lack of concentration, slow/poor reaction time and decision making, attentional wastage and narrowing, fails to reach ZOF, violence and breaks rules

Question 8

Impact of under arousal

Answer 8

Poor selective attention, cues missed lack of concentration, slow/poor reaction time and decision making, attentional wastage and narrowing, fails to reach ZOF, social loafing and Ringleman effect

Question 9

Attentional wastage

Answer 9

Performers concentration is misdirected to irrelevant cues. Can damage performance especially in novices

Question 10

Attentional narrowing

Answer 10

Occurs when a performer is aroused so they focus on certain cues and ignore others. Linked to dominant to response

Question 11

Social loafing

Answer 11

Individual loss of motivation in a team player due to a lack of performance identification when efforts aren’t recognised

Question 12

Ringleman effect

Answer 12

When a teams performance decreases with group size

Question 13

Zone of optimal functioning

Answer 13

An area of controlled arousal and high level performance where things feel effortless and smooth

Question 14

Peak flow performance and what disrupts it

Answer 14

The ultimate intrinsic experience felt by athletes from a positive mental attitude, with supreme confidence, focus and efficiency where things become automatic and feel effortless. Disrupted by poor mental prep, environmental issues like crowd pressure, refs decisions, weather and even fatigue or injury