AROUSAL Flashcards
What is Arousal?
“An energised state of readiness before performing a task”
What are the effects of Arousal?
The effects of arousal can be positive or negative and affects performers differently. It affects the body both physiologically and psychologically.
What is Arousal controlled by?
Arousal is controlled by the Reticular Activating System (RAS). This is a cluster of brain cells which maintain levels of arousal.
What does DRIVE THEORY suggest?
This theory suggests a proportional linear relationship between arousal and performance. The more an individual is aroused the better the performance.
What is the formula for DRIVE THEORY?
P = f (H X D)
H = The habit strength was a learned behaviour or response which occurred more often as drive levels increased. D = Drive or Arousal levels.
What happens with increased arousal?
With increased arousal the dominant habit / most usual behaviour will be reproduced.
What is the difference with a poorly learned skill and a well learned skill?
A poorly-learned skill will give a performance full of mistakes whereas a well-learned skill will give a skilled performance.
What are the 2 problems with drive theory?
- Even highly skilled players ‘choke’ in highly charged situations. i.e. Penalty shot.
- By increasing drive (arousal) performers often resort to previously learned skills because they are dominant but may be incorrect. (novices, intermediates)
What does inverted U theory suggest?
This theory suggests there is an optimum arousal level and if aroused more than this performance will decline.
At low levels of arousal, performance will be below par, the athlete is not psyched up.
What happens as arousal increases in inverted U?
As arousal increases so does performance, up to an optimal point. After this point, further increases in arousal lead to declines in performance. Each athlete has their own optimal level of arousal.
What are the 3 things that shift the inverted U?
The type of activity, skill levels and personality will shift the inverted U.
Inverted U theory
Explain Gross Theories
Easy/large basic movements require a higher level of arousal.
This includes strength or endurance tasks.
There is a bigger margin for error and a broader optimal arousal zone (tolerates a bigger arousal level before performance falls)
The skill level of the performer will also result in an arousal level shift. What happens if the perfomer is more skillful?
The more skilful the performer the higher the optimum arousal could be.
What moves the U left or right?
The personality of a performer will move the inverted U left or right.
The more extroverted the performer =?
The more introverted =?
The more extrovert the performer the higher the arousal likely for optimum performance. Whereas introverts would optimise performance at lower arousal levels.
What is Catastrophe theory?
Example?
This theory proposed performance increases as arousal increases but if arousal gets too high a complete loss of performance occurs. (the catastrophe)
e.g. the golfer who tries too hard and completely misses the fairway from his drive at the 18th hole when in a winning position
Drive theory suggests that as arousal increases so does the performance quality …
Linearly
What is dominant response?
A well learnt skill that is the most likely response under pressure
In the inverted U theory - Complex skills would require what sort of arousal levels?
Low
n the inverted U theory what is the point where athletes perform at their best?
Optimum point
Catastrophe Theory has how many dimensions?
three
According to the inverted U theory Extroverts perform best at..
High levels because their RAS is less sensitive they strive for exciting situations
In Catastrophe Theory the line on the graph should be described as
An extreme or sudden decline in performance
What is Trait Anxiety?
Temporary feelings of apprehension in all competitions
