Arousal Flashcards
Somatic signs of arousal (physiological)
Nausea Increased heart rate Increased breathing rate Sweating Increased muscle tension Decreased reaction time Butterflies
Cognitive signs of arousal (psychological)
Increased focus Anxiety Fear Difficulties sleeping Narrowing of attention Negative self talk
Drive theory of arousal (Hull, 1943)
Linear relationship between arousal and performance
As arousal increases, so does the quality of performance
Also suggests that higher levels of arousal would intensify the dominant response (likely response)
The dominant response for experts and beginners
For an expert, the dominant response is likely to be habitual and the correct one and so the performance would be improved.
For a beginner, the dominant response may be incorrect and so a higher level of arousal may cause deterioration in performance
Inverted U theory of Arousal (Yerkes and Dodson, 1908)
As arousal increases, performance will increase up to an optimal point. After this point, as arousal continues to increase, performance decreases.
Factors which affect the ‘optimal level’ of arousal (inverted u theory)
Experts and beginners- a beginner needs to give a greater proportion of their attention to the performance of a skill. Increased levels of arousal may well take a beginners attention away from the skill and so performance decreases.
Type of skill- performers engaged in events that require the use of major muscle groups (gross skills) may benefit from higher levels of arousal than performers using finer skills such as archery.
Personality- extroverts perform better with higher levels of arousal than introverts
Evaluation apprehension
A sense of anxiety caused by a performer thinking that their performance is being watched and judged by someone
Zajonc’s theory
Zajonc proposed that the presence of others either as audience or coactors (team mates) raises the level of arousal. This increase in arousal makes the performer’s dominant response more likely. He said this would lead to social facilitation or social inhibition
Social facilitation
If the skill is easy or the performer is an expert, their initial level of arousal is low and therefore, an increase in arousal will improve performance as their dominant response is likely to be correct
Social inhibition
If the skill is hard or the performer is a beginner, their initial level of arousal is high and their dominant response is likely to be incorrect. Therefore, an increase in arousal is likely to deteriorate performance
Zone of optimal functioning definition
The area between the upper and lower limits of arousal where a performer is sufficiently aroused to perform to their best
Characteristics of a performer in the zone of optimal functioning
Highly focused Clear goals Optimal arousal High levels of self confidence Movements feel effortless
Arousal definition
The state of general physiological and psychological factors of the body for action
Evaluation apprehension definition
A sense of anxiety caused by a performer thinking that their performance is being watched and judged by someone
What factors may have an impact on arousal levels?
Opponents Importance of sporting situation Actions by team mates/ officials Nature of the crowd/ audience Coactors (team mates)
