Arousal

Question 1

What is the definition of arousal?

Answer 1

It is the degree of physiological (somatic) and psychological (cognitive) readiness or activation. This varies on a continuum from deep sleep to intense excitement.
In sport - Drive or energised state that motivates us to perform well.

Question 2

Describe arousal

Answer 2

Intensity aspect of motivation
Can be positive or negative
Physiological (somatic) effects of arousal refer to the changing state of the body
Psychological (cognitive) effects of arousal refer to the changing state of the mind
High cognitive arousal is negative
High somatic arousal is positive (state of readiness)
Over-arousal=loss of concentration

Question 3

What are the three theories of arousal?

Answer 3

Drive theory
Inverted U theory
Catastrophe theory

Question 4

What is Drive theory?

Answer 4

As arousal increases so does the quality of performance as long as dominant response is correct

Question 5

What is dominant response?

Answer 5

Typical response to a stimulus when put under pressure

Can be incorrect or correct.

Question 6

What is drive reduction?

Answer 6

Motivation is lost when a skill is over-learned and the task become tedious/performer feels they’ve performed to the best of their ability.
New targets/goals need to be set to re-motivate.

Question 7

What is inverted U theory?

Answer 7

As arousal increases so does the quality of performance as long as dominant response is correct up to an optimum point, after which there is a gradual decrease in performance.

Question 8

What happens if a performer is under aroused?

Answer 8

Sub optimal performance
Attentional field is too wide
Taking in too many cues

Question 9

What happens if a performer is over aroused?

Answer 9

Sub optimal performance 
State of high anxiety
Hyper vigilance
Attentional field is too narrow
Miss important cues
Selective attention does not operate - illogical decisions
Concentration seriously impeded

Question 10

Describe what happens at the optimum point of arousal

Answer 10

Potential for learning is maximised
Attentional field is ideal width 
Concentrates fully
Takes in all important cues and ignores irrelevant cues (selective attention)
Cue utilisation

Question 11

What is hyper vigilance?

Answer 11

A condition of nervousness and panic often accompanied by extreme anxiety

Question 12

What is cue utilisation?

Answer 12

The process of focusing on the most important information or cues from the environmental display

Question 13

What 4 factors effect the optimum point of arousal?

Answer 13

Personality
Type of task
Stage of learning
Level of experience

Question 14

Describe the personality factor of the optimum point of arousal

Answer 14

Introverts - Can’t cope with high levels of arousal
Lower optimum point of arousal
Extroverts - Cope better with arousal
Higher optimum point of arousal

Question 15

Describe the type of task factor of the optimum point of arousal

Answer 15

Gross, simple and closed have a higher optimum point of arousal (weight lifting/Swimming)
Fine, complex and open skills have a lower optimum point of arousal - require concentration (archery)`

Question 16

Describe the stage of learning factor of the optimum point of arousal

Answer 16

Cognitive/associative - lower point of optimum arousal

Autonomous - Correct dominant response so higher optimum point of arousal

Question 17

Describe the level of experience factor of the optimum point of arousal

Answer 17

Novice - Lower point of optimum arousal, situation is unfamiliar
Experienced - Higher point of optimum arousal, situation is familiar.

Question 18

What is catastrophe theory?

Answer 18

As arousal increases so does the quality of performance as long as dominant response is correct up to an optimum point after which, there is a catastrophic drop in performance.

Question 19

What is peak flow?

Answer 19

The ultimate intrinsic experience, when performance is flawless. Athletes refer to it as being in the zone. All theories show that performance is related to the amount of inner-drive and self-motivation.

Question 20

Positives of drive theory

Answer 20

Explains why autonomous performers work well with high levels of arousal (correct dominant response)
Explains why cognitive performers need low levels of arousal (Incorrect dominant response)
High arousal = high performance with explosive skills

Question 21

Negatives of drive theory

Answer 21

Isn’t applicable to novices
Doesn’t explain decline in performance at high arousal levels
Doesn’t explain high performance in low arousal

Question 22

Positives of inverted U theory

Answer 22

Explains why performers perform badly at high and low levels of arousal.
Explains task type, personality, skill level and experience
Explains attentional fields

Question 23

Negatives of inverted U theory

Answer 23

Doesn’t explain the sudden drop in performance that some performers experience
Doesn’t take into account task type/personality/skill level/experience

Question 24

Positives of catastrophe theory

Answer 24

Most realistic
Explains why performance can suddenly decline
Only theory that explains how performers can recover
Takes various factors into account

Question 25

Negatives of catastrophe theory

Answer 25

Some performers never experience a sudden decline in performance
Does not link to task type/personality/skill level/experience