Arousal Flashcards

1
Q

Define arousal

A

A state of action/excitement/a readiness to perform, a drive to achieve

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2
Q

What types of arousal can a performer experience

A

Physiological/somatic
Psychological/cognitive

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3
Q

What does drive theory suggest

A

As your arousal increases so does your performance, linearly

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4
Q

What causes increased drive to perform

A

Increased motivation

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5
Q

What is the equation for drive theory? Explain it

A

P=f(DxH)
Performance is the function of drive multiplied by habit

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6
Q

What is dominant response

A

The stand out response that a performer thinks is correct

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7
Q

Why is the drive theory unrealistic

A

It is unrealistic to suggest that performance is always going to increase

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8
Q

How can high arousal affect response? Give an example

A

Means less information is processed and the performer tends to focus on the dominant response which is thought to be correct
For example, in football having high levels of arousal could make a performer go back to using basic plays

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9
Q

How does dominant response differ between experts and novice performers

A

Experts are used to having high arousal so their dominant response is usually correct
Beginners are the opposite and their dominant response is likely to lead to mistakes

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10
Q

What happens when a task is complex and arousal is high

A

Performance is impaired as you cannot process all the information so the performer may miss important cues

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11
Q

What is the inverted U theory

A

States that increased arousal improves performance up to an optimum point at moderate levels of arousal
Not enough or too much can lead to performance deterioration

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12
Q

What happens if a performer is under aroused

A

They will be unbothered about the game
Unenergetic, slow performance
Not ready for the game

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13
Q

What happens if a performer is under aroused

A

They will be unbothered about the game
Unenergetic, slow performance
Not ready for the game

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14
Q

What happens if a performer is over aroused

A

Anger/over excitement can lead to heightened emotions affecting decisions and performance

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15
Q

What 3 things can influence optimal arousal

A

Experience
Personality
Task

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16
Q

How can being an expert influence arousal

A

They are used to and can deal with pressure effectively, even with limited info
Their dominant response is mostly correct therefore they can perform at a high level with high arousal

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17
Q

How can being a novice influence arousal

A

They operate better at lower levels due to being uncomfortable under pressure

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18
Q

How can being an extrovert influence arousal

A

They can perform happily at high arousal
RAM suggests that they have lower levels of activation and can tolerate increases in arousal

19
Q

How can being an introvert influence arousal

A

They perform better at low levels of arousals
Naturally have higher levels of arousal therefore perform better at low levels of arousal - for example a introvert would feel uncomfortable in loud, busy places so would shut down, whereas they would perform better in quieter spaces

20
Q

What is RAS? What does is stand for?

A

Reticular Activating System
Controls and measures levels of adrenaline in the body

21
Q

How can gross skills influence arousal

A

Can be performed at high levels of arousal

22
Q

How can fine skills influence arousal

A

Needs a precise amount of control so lower levels of arousal would be better

23
Q

How can simple skills influence arousal

A

Less decision making and can still be executed well with high levels of arousal

24
Q

How can complex skills influence arousal

A

Lots of decision making so needs lower levels of arousal

25
Q

What is the catastrophe theory

A

Arousal improves performance to an optimal point, but there is a dramatic reduction in performance when arousal increases past the optimal point

26
Q

What causes a catastrophe slump

A

High levels of cognitive and somatic anxieties

27
Q

What is cognitive anxiety

A

Negative self talk
Worry
Lack of communication

28
Q

What is somatic anxiety

A

Muscle stiffness
Shakes and sweats

29
Q

Can a performer recover from a catastrophe slump? How?

A

Yes if the initial cause of the catastrophe is mild
The performer can attempt to recover by reducing arousal and anxiety

30
Q

What must a performer do to save them from a complete catastrophe

A

Deep breathing
Progressive muscle relaxation (tensing and relaxing body from bottom to top)

31
Q

What happens if the performer fails to control the catastrophe

A

Arousal will continue to increase further decreasing performance

32
Q

Positives of the drive theory

A

Explains high performance
Shows how dominant response is likely to occur
Shows how experts can cope with higher levels of arousal

33
Q

Negatives of the drive theory

A

Isn’t applicable to novices as they haven’t mastered dominant response
Linear relationships are not realistic as they barely ever occur
Doesn’t consider nature of the task or ability

34
Q

Positives of the inverted U theory

A

Takes in to account task and ability
Shows optimal performance is not the same for all sports
Shows that it can shift based on personality eg extroverts can cope with higher levels of arousal
Takes into account that performance can decline with high arousal

35
Q

Negatives of inverted U theory

A

Increase and decrease of performance isn’t a smooth, gradual process - it can drop quickly
Only considers cognitive or somatic arousal

36
Q

Positives of catastrophe theory

A

Most realistic model
Explains why performance can drastically decline
Takes into account various factors (somatic and cognitive)
Explains how some performers recover

37
Q

Negatives of catastrophe theory

A

Performers don’t always experience sudden decline, but experience slow decline
Doesn’t take task/ability in to account

38
Q

What is zone of optimal functioning

A

A zone at which a performers performance is at its peak and is most concentrated

39
Q

How does zone of optimal functioning differ from inverted U

A

It is not one point of optimal performance, it is a zone which a performer can fluctuate in and out of

40
Q

What happens when a performer is in the zone of optimal functioning

A

Things are effortless, performer reaches supreme confidence, total control and focus
The ultimate intrinsic experience is felt by athletes from a positive mental attitude with supreme focus and efficiency

41
Q

What is peak flow experience

A

An extension of feelings in the zone
The ultimate intrinsic experience felt by athletes from a positive mental attitude with supreme confidence, focus and efficiency

42
Q

What do performers believe they can do at peak flow experience

A

Complete their challenge
Clear goals
Reach total focus

43
Q

What does a performer have to do to develop/enhance peak flow

A

Be confident in preparation
Be in optimal conditions
Have optimal fitness levels

44
Q

What factors affect the peak flow experience

A

Poor mental preparation and the failure to reach optimum arousal levels
Environmental influences eg pressure from the crowd or frustration caused by referees decisions
Effect of injury or fatigue during the game will stop the player keeping up