arousal

Question 1

what is arousal

Answer 1

an energised state, a readiness to perform

Question 2

when is it present

Answer 2

before, during, after sport in varying levels

Question 3

what does the correct level of arousal do

Answer 3

pushes you to peak performance

Question 4

what does too much arousal do

Question 5

what does too little arousal do

Question 6

what is the drive theory

Answer 6

• initial motivation, causes increased drive, more effort, more success and repetition of the same response
• increases in linear fashion
  P= f (D x H)
  performance = habit strength x drive
• the more an elite sports person is aroused, the better their performance due to dominant response being chosen is habitual
• more a beginner is aroused, dominant response may be incorrect= deterioration in performance

Question 7

what is the dominant response

Answer 7

at high arousal we pick up less info and focus on dominant response
- if task is simple or performer is an expert= correct response
- if task is complex or performer is novice = impaired performance

Question 8

what is the zone of optimal functioning

Answer 8

area of controlled arousal and high performance

Question 9

what is the inverted u theory

Answer 9

links arousal and performance by stating that increased arousal improves performance to an optimal point at moderate levels of arousal

Question 10

what does increased arousal do

Answer 10

improves performance but only to a moderate level, after which more arousal causes performance to suffer

Question 11

what does under and over arousal do

Answer 11

bad for performance

Question 12

what else has an affect on arousal

Answer 12

skill level, personality, task undertaken

Question 13

is moderate arousal good

Answer 13

not always

Question 14

low arousal

Answer 14

personality - introverts perform best because they already have high adrenaline levels
experience - novice performs best because they need to concentrate on lots of info, uncomfortable under pressure, incorrect dominant response
type of task - fine and complex skills are performed best because they require control and decision making

Question 15

high arousal

Answer 15

personality - extroverts can tolerate extra adrenaline
experience - experts are used to pressure & can operate on limited info, dominant response is mainly correct
type of task - gross and simple skills are performed best because they need less control and decision making

Question 16

problems with the inverted you theory

Answer 16

• optimum arousal doesn’t always occur at the midpoint
• one curve does not explain the different optimal levels of arousal needed for simple and complex tasks

Question 17

catastrophe theory

Answer 17

• increased arousal improves performance to an optimal point but there is a dramatic reduction in performance when arousal increases beyond the optimal
• adaption to the inverted u theory
• 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)= anxiety causes a dramatic deterioration in performance
• player can only recover if initial anxiety is low and there is time available
• player may not recover

Question 18

impact of under arousal in sport

Answer 18

-poor selective attention
- lack of concentration
- social loafing
- ringelman effect
- poor reaction time
- attentional wastage
- attentional narrowing
- failed to reach zone of optimal functioning

Question 19

impact of over arousal in sport

Answer 19

• poor selective attention
• lack of concentration
• slower reaction time
• attentional wastage
• attentional narrowing
• failed to reach zone of optimal functioning
• violence
• break rules

Question 20

what is attentional wastage

Answer 20

performers concentration is misdirected to irrelevant cues. can damage performance especially in novices

Question 21

what is attentional narrowing

Answer 21

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

Question 22

what is social loafing

Answer 22

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

Question 23

what is the ringelman effect

Answer 23

when a team performance decreases with group size

Question 24

when do athletes perform best

Answer 24

not at a point but in an area that is reached by advanced cognitive techniques such as imagery and visualisation- adapted version of the inverted u

Question 25

what would the area/zone feel like

Answer 25

• things flow effortlessly
• state of supreme confidence
• remains calm under pressure
• athlete feels that they are in total control of their actions
• total focus

Question 26

what is peak flow performance

Answer 26

ultimate intrinsic experience felt by athletes from a positive mental attitude, with supreme confidence, focus and efficiency
- occurs when timing, action and motion appear to be perfect
- characterised by feelings of subconscious control and effortless movement
- promoted by positive values of high confidence, positive mental attitude, control and relaxedness

Question 27

what are some factors that affect peak flow

Answer 27

• poor mental preparation and the failure to reach optimal arousal levels
• environmental influences- crowd pressure
• injury or fatigue

Question 28

what does peak flow performance feel like

Answer 28

• highly focused on the task
• movement or skill feels effortless
• clear goals
• high levels of confidence
• sub-conscious feelings of control