Arousal Flashcards
What is arousal?
An energized state, a readiness to perform
When is arousal present?
Arousal is present before, during and after sport in varying levels. Correct levels can push you to peak performance, too little or too much can damage performance massively.
Drive Theory
Initial movement causes increased drive, more effort, more success and a repetition of responses.
Increases in linear fashion.
Explained by the formula: P=f (DxH)
What is the dominant response?
At high arousal we pick up less information (attentional narrowing) and focus on the dominant response.
- if the task is simple or the performer is an expert, then this response will be correct.
- if the task is complex or the performer is a novice, then performance may be impaired.
Inverted U Theory
Increased arousal improves performance but only to a moderate level, after which more arousal causes performance to suffer.
Under and over arousal can be as bad for performance.
Optimal levels of arousal can vary within theses skill level, personality of the performer and task undertaken have an effect.
When do introverts perform best?
Perform best at lower arousal because they already have higher adrenaline levels.
When do extroverts perform best?
They perform best at higher arousal levels because they can tolerate higher arousal levels.
Arousal levels based on the nature of a task
Fine and complex skills are performed best at lower arousal levels because they require control and decision making.
Gross and simple skills are performed best at higher arousal levels because they need less control and decision making.
What are the problems with the inverted U theory?
Critics question if optimal arousal always occurs at the mid-point of the curve.
One curve does not explain the different optimal levels of arousal needed for simple and complex tasks.
What is the catastrophe theory?
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.
Increased arousal improves performance to a point but an intense combination of somatic (muscular tension, increased HR) and cognitive (loss of concentration, fear about performance) anxieties causes a massive deterioration in performance.
What are the impacts of under-arousal?
Poor selective attention/cues missed Lack of concentration/focus Social loafing Ringelman effect Slower/ poor reaction time/response time/slower decision making Attentional wastage Attentional narrowing Failed to reach optimal functioning/peak flow experience
What are the effects of over-arousal?
Poor selective attention/ cues missed Lack of concentration/focus Attentional wastage Attentional narrowing Slower/poor reaction time/response time/slower decision making Violence Break rules failed to reach zone of optimal functioning /peak flow experience
