Arousal Flashcards
Define Arousal.
An energised state, a readiness to perform.
What is the Drive theory?
Initial motivation causes increased drive, more effort, more success &repetition of the same response.
What is the formula for the Drive theory?
P=f(DxH)
Performance= habit x drive
What is a dominant response?
With high arousal, we pick up less information (attentional narrowing) and focus on the dominant response (programmed response).
What happens to different-level performers when arousal is high- according to the Drive theory?
Elite- better their performance due to the chosen response being habitual.
Beginner- Dominant response may be incorrect and high levels of arousal can cause deterioration in performance.
Define the Inverted U Theory.
Theory that links arousal and performance by stating that increased arousal improves performance to an optimal point at moderate levels of arousal.
Why, instead of moderate levels of arousal, do low levels of arousal result in optimal performance?
Personality: Introverts perform best because they already have high adrenaline levels.
Experience: A novice performs best because needs to concentrate on lots of information. Uncomfortable under pressure, incorrect dominant response.
Type/ Nature of task: Fine and complex skills are performed best because they require control and decision-making.
Why, instead of moderate levels of arousal, do high levels of arousal result in optimal performance?
Personality: Extroverts can tolerate extra adrenaline.
Experience: Experts are used to the pressure and can operate on limited information. Dominant response is mainly correct.
Type/ Nature of task: Gross and simple skills are performed best because they need less control and decision-making.
What are the problems with the Inverted U Theory?
-Critics question whether optimal arousal always occurs at the mid-point of the curve.
-One curve doesn’t explain the different optimal levels of arousal needed for simple and complex tasks.
Define Catastrophe Theory.
Theory suggests 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) cause a dramatic deterioration in performance.
How can players recover?
Initial anxiety is low and time is available.
What is the impact of under arousal in sports?
- poor selective attention
- lack of concentration
- poor reaction time
- attentional wasting
- attentional narrowing
- failed to reach zone of optimal functioning
- Social loafing (hide in group+all does nothing)
- Ringleman effect (more people in group+everyone does less)
What is the impact of over arousal in sports?
- poor selective attention
- lack of concentration
- poor reaction time
- attentional wasting
- attentional narrowing
- failed to reach the zone of optimal functioning
- Violence
- Break rules
Define attentional wastage.
The performer’s concentration is misdirected to irrelevant cues. Can damage performance, especially in novices.
