Arousal Flashcards
Define the term arousal
A sense of alertness and anticipation which prepares the body for action. It occurs on a continuum varying from deep sleep to intense excitement
What are the two types of symptoms of arousal? Give examples of each
Cognitive (psychological) - loss of concentration Somatic (physiological) - increased heart rate - sweating
What is over arousal referred to as?
Anxiety
What is the relationship between level of arousal and performance quality described as according to drive theory?
Positive linear relationship
What is the formula which drive theory is based on? What does each letter stand for?
P=f(DxH)
P - performance quality
Drive - level of arousal
Habit - the dominant response (most common performance)
What is the dominant response? Relate this to beginners and experts
The most common response
Beginners - Most likely to have a poor dominant response meaning an increase in arousal hinders performance
Experts - Most likely to have a correctly performed dominant response meaning an increase in arousal enhances performance
What are the 3 parts to the inverted-U theory and describe each part
1 - As arousal increases, so does the level of performance (up to a certain point)
2 - When an optimum point is reached this is where the best performance occurs (usually at moderate arousal levels)
3 - If arousal continues to increase after the optimum point then there is a gradual decrease in performance quality
What are the characteristics of peak flow?
- intrinsically rewarding
- automatic and flowing
- all pressures are ignored
According to peak flow theory what happens if:
1 - skill level exceeds the task demands
2 - the task demands exceed skill level
3 - the task demands mach the skill level
1 - the performer becomes bored
2 - the performer becomes anxious
3 - the performer experiences peak flow (if skill level and task is high) or the performer experiences apathy (if both skill level and task is low)
What skills are best performed at higher arousal levels? Give examples
Gross skills or strength/speed skills
E.g. Boxing, rugby scrum, 100m sprint
What skills are performed best at moderate arousal levels?
E.g. golf swing, conversion kick in rugby, marathon
What skills are best performed at lower arousal levels? Give examples
Fine, complex and open skills
E.g. golf putt, rifle shooting
How does someone’s personality affect the Inverted-U theory curve?
Introverts usually perform best at lower arousal levels, whereas extroverts usually perform best at higher arousal levels
How does someone’s skill level affect the Inverted-U curve?
Novices usually perform best a lower arousal levels, intermediates at moderate arousal levels and experts at higher arousal levels
Explain the 4 parts to catastrophe theory
1 - Like inverted-u and drive theory, as arousal increases so does performance quality
2 - If arousal increases further there will be a catastrophic deterioration in performance quality
3 - If the performer fails to reduce arousal arousal levels then their performance will continue to be poor
4 - It is possible to make a conscious effort to reduce arousal levels and return to peak performance
