Arousal Flashcards
What is arousal?
An energised state motivating the performer to perform
What are the physiological effects of arousal?
- Increase in heart rate
- Increase in breathing frequency
- Increase in perspiration (sweating)
What are the psychological effects of arousal?
- Anxiety
- Readiness to perform
What is the ‘state of readiness’?
Preparation for action and confidence. The athlete is more likely to have a better performance
What is ‘arousal level’?
The amount of drive an athlete has
What is the relationship between arousal and the state of readiness?
As the arousal level increases, the state of readiness and expectation also increases
What happens when the arousal level gets too high?
There is a concentration loss and stress. Though, it is discredited by the drive theory
Who created the Drive Theory 1948?
Hull
Who developed the Drive Theory 1968?
Spence and Spence
What is the relationship between performance and arousal in the drive theory?
Linear; as performance increases, so does arousal
When is a dominant learned response more likely to occur, in the Drive Theory?
When there is high arousal
Why is the Drive Theory not accurate for a novice or a performer in the cognitive stage?
They need a low level of arousal, as the dominant learned response will not be the correct one
What type of skill does the drive theory apply to?
Gross skills
What is the formula for the drive theory?
P = F (HxD)
Performance is a function of our habit and our drive
What is the effect if the dominant learned response is correct?
Performance is enhanced
What is the effect if the dominant learned response is incorrect?
Performance decreases in standard
What is drive reduction?
Drive is reduced if the athlete loses motivation, and their performance becomes habitual. There are no more reasons to be driven
Who invented the inverted-U theory?
Yerks and Dobson
What is the Inverted-U theory?
As arousal increases, so does performance to an optimum level. Any more arousal would cause a gradual decline in performance
What happens when athletes become over aroused?
(Inverted-U)
They become anxious and experience a decline in performance
What can change the optimum level of arousal?
(Inverted-U)
- Types of activities
- Skill levels
- Personalities
How do fine skills affect the optimum level of arousal?
(Inverted-U)
They need a low arousal level to perform
How do gross skills affect the optimum level of arousal?
(Inverted-U)
They need a high arousal level to perform
How does a performer being advanced alter the optimum level of arousal?
(Inverted-U)
They have stored motor skills and can cope with high levels of arousal
Dominant response is more likely to be correct
How does a performer being a novice alter the optimum level of arousal?
(Inverted-U)
They are yet to store motor skills and need low levels of arousal
Dominant response is more likely to be wrong
How can a performer being an extrovert affect the optimum arousal level?
(Inverted-U)
Extroverts enjoy high levels of excitement and can cope with high arousal
How can a performer being an introvert affect the optimum arousal level?
(Inverted-U)
Introverts prefer calm environments and can only cope with low arousal
What is the catastrophe theory?
When optimum arousal is reached, there is an extreme decline in performance.
If arousal continues to increase, then performance will start to decrease gradually.
If arousal stops increasing, performance may be recovered
Who made the catastrophe theory?
Faze and Hardy
What happens if there is an increase in somatic anxiety whilst cognitive anxiety is high?
There is a sudden deterioration in performance, a ‘catastrophic affect’.
What happens if there is an increase in cognitive anxiety when somatic anxiety is high?
Performance will decline
What is the peak flow experience?
Athlete feels focused and emotionally ready for performance due to inner drive and motivation
What is Reticular Activating System?
A site of the brain that maintains arousal level
What did Eysenck find about the RAS?
Extroverts inhibit the intensity of incoming stimuli and need the RAS stimulating.
Whereas, introverts increase the intensity of incoming stimuli, so their RAS is already stimulated.
This makes it harder for introverts to become aroused
