arousal

Question 1

what is arousal controlled by

Answer 1

reticular activating system (RAS)

Question 2

definition of arousal

Answer 2

energised state of rediness before performing a task. can have positive or negative effects

Question 3

what is the equation for the drive theory of arousal

Answer 3

P=F(HXD)
H = habit strength
D = drive

Question 4

describe the drive theory of arousal

Answer 4

increased arousal increases performance it is a proportional linear relationship between arousal and performance. With increased arousal the dominant habit will be produced so a well learnt skill would have a good performance with a poorly learnt skill having a performance full of mistakes

Question 5

problems with the drive theory of arousal

Answer 5

• even highly skilled players ‘choke’ (penalty shootout)

- dominant response can be incorrect

Question 6

explain the inverted u theory

Answer 6

with low arousal performance will be below par but as arousal increases an optimum level of arousal is reached until the performance begins to decrease

Question 7

who needs higher levels of arousal

Answer 7

extroverts as introverts have higher arousal usually

Question 8

what skills need lower arousal levels

Answer 8

fine and highly controlled skills like darts

Question 9

what is ‘peak flow’

Answer 9

optimum arousal ‘in the zone’

Question 10

describe the catastrophe theory

Answer 10

• arousal increases with performance up to optimum point
• extreme decline in performance maybe down to somatic and cognitive anxiety
• anxiety continues to decrease performance
• if anxiety decreases then performance increases