Arousal Flashcards
What is the definition of arousal?
the intensity of emotion/motivation
What is Hulls Drive Theory suggest?
- the higher the arousal the higher the performance
- the higher the arousal the more likely that the dominant response will be reproduced
- proportional relationship between arousal and the likelihoods of a dominant response occurring
What is a dominant response [DR]?
the response most likes to occur in a pressured situation
What is the DR of a beginner like?
- increased arousal = poor performance
What is the dominant response of an expert like?
- increased arousal = increased performance
What is Yerkes Dodson’s Inverted U Theory?
- With increased arousal we see increased performance
- This happens up until an optimum
- Further increased arousal leads to a decrease performance
The optimum level of arousal required for a task depends on:
- task type, task complexity, skill level, personality of performer
What are the shifting variables?
Personality
Task Type
Learning Stage
Experience
Complexity of task?
Explain the shifting zone in Inverted U Theory?
-it is thought that fine, complex tasks require a lower optimum level than gross, simple tasks.
-therefore it is believed that the optimum arousal zone can ‘shift’, affected by task, complexity, skill level and personality of performance
Explain the shift of optimum arousal for personality (extroverts and introverts)?
-extroverts preform best at high levels of arousal
-introvert preform best at low levels of arousal
-introverts have a sensitive RAS which increases a tendency towards anxiety
-extroverts seek stimulation of RAS and preform to their maximum in stressful situations
Explain the shift of optimum arousal for the task type (gross and fine)?
-gross skills are preformed best at high levels of arousal
eg. weightlifting requires large muscle movements and little precision
-fine skills preformed best at low levels of arousal as they are fine intricate movements
eg. darts player needs to have maximum concentration
Explain the shift of optimum arousal for the complexity of task (simple and complex)?
-simple skills preformed best at high levels of arousal, low perceptual load
eg. running that requires little thought and judgement
-complex skills preformed best at low levels of arousal as they require lots of judgement and decisions. high perceptual load
eg. slip catch in cricket
Explain the shift of optimum arousal for the skill level of performer (cognitive and autonomous)?
-cognitive learners perform best at low levels of arousal as they have to focus more on the skill at hand
-autonomous learners preform best at higher levels of arousal as they have automatic motor programmes and well-grooved refined skills, do not need to focus as hard as skills require little conscious thought
What is Catastrophe Theory?
- increased arousal = increased performance
- this continues up until an optimum
- beyond optimum = performance decreases rapidly
- gradual decline
- you can recover
-as somatic (physiological) arousal increases, quality of performance improves
-optimal performance will only be achieved if cognitive arousal is kept low
-high cognitive arousal and high somatic arousal causes a sudden dramatic drop in performance
-after the catastrophe if arousal continues to rise performance drops more
-if cognitive arousal can be lowered performance starts to recover
What are the advantages of drive theory?
-simple
-more accurate as relates to dominant response
-for some performers such as extroverts it is an accurate representation of what happens
-more likely to be accurate for certain types of skill
eg. gross, simple
-it helps teachers understand effective of arousal on performance
What are the disadvantages of drive theory?
-performance does not always increase with increased arousal
-too simplistic view
-does not take into account individual differences
-does not explain decline in performance of high arousal
eg. long jumper stepping over board repeatedly
-doesn’t not explain how some skills can be preformed well with low arousal
-does not explain drive reduction
What are the advantages of inverted u theory?
-more realistic then drive theory
-it is true that their is a certain optimum point of arousal
-simple
-true that most sports performances respond positively to arousal up until a midway point
-helps teachers/coaches to understand effect of arousal
-optimum levels can shift depending on task, skill level, personality
What are the disadvantages of inverted u theory?
-too simple
-doesn’t say that performance can recover after overarousal has occurred
-doesn’t consider the effect of different types of arousal on performance
What are the advantages of catastrophe theory?
-gives a realistic explanation for why a performer ‘goes to pieces’ in a big event
eg. sprinter makes false start in olympics
-shows a sudden decline in performance which is more likely then a gradual decline
-takes into account the relationships/effects of both cognitive and somatic arousal
-shows can recover by lowering arousal
-current most accepted explanation
What are the disadvantages of catastrophe theory?
-not all performers have a dramatic decline when over-aroused
-some cope really well with cognitive arousal by using stress/anxiety management techniques
-optimum arousal may nit be a mid-way point
-doesn’t take into account personality/ level of preformer/ type of skill
What is peak flow?
a felling of well being occurring when all psychological and psychological variables align to give best potential performance
What are the factors that contribute to peak flow?
Optimum somatic arousal
Low/controlled cognitive arousal
Balanced perception of demands
High incentive value
Completely focused
Self confidence
Good situation
Movements are automatic
What are the ways to achieve ‘in zone’?
-Be relaxed
-Be confident
-Movements are automatic
-Be completely focused
-Activity is effortless
-In control
-Fun
-Set goals
-Manage cognitive (mental rehearsal, negative thought stopping) and somatic anxiety (PMR, biofeedback), using management techniques
