Arousal (Drive theory)

Question 1

What is arousal (Definition)?

Answer 1

• A level of activation, a degree of readiness to perform.

Question 2

What is arousal (more info)?

Answer 2

• It is a state of readiness experienced by performers before and during competition.
• Arousal is always present when playing sports.
• But too much can cause problems in sport.

Question 3

What is the drive theory?

Answer 3

• Based on the assumption that increased motivation causes increased drive.
• The more drive we have have, we get a better chance of increased performance.
• This theory suggests that as arousal increases, so does performance (in a linear fashion).

Question 4

What is the definition for the drive theory?

Answer 4

As arousal increases so does performance (P= f(D x H))

Question 5

Drive and the dominant response

Answer 5

• Increased drive does not always improve performance- it is unrealistic to suggest that performance will always keep improving.

Question 6

What happens at high levels of arousal?

Answer 6

• At high levels of arousal, less information is processed therefore the performer tends to concentrate on the ‘dominant response’.

Question 7

Define dominant response

Answer 7

The stand out response that the performer thinks is correct.

Question 8

What would be the difference in dominant response between an expert and a novice? (Autonomous)

Answer 8

• Dominant response is usually correct.
• Performance levels remain high.
• Works well under high levels of arousal.

However…
Doesn’t account for elite performers messing up and deteriorating under pressure.

Question 9

What would be the difference in dominant response between an expert and a novice? (Cognitive)

Answer 9

• Dominant response may not be developed, so they will choose the wrong option.
• Probability of poor performance increases.
• Does not work well under high levels of arousal.

Question 10

What would be the difference in dominant response between a simple and complex task? (Simple)

Answer 10

• Does not require much thinking, therefore can be performed at high levels of arousal.
• Dominant response is likely to be correct.

Question 11

What would be the difference in dominant response between a simple and complex task? (Complex)

Answer 11

• Performance may be impaired because there is a lot of info to process.
• At high levels of arousal, the ability to process information reduces and some important cues may be missed.
• Dominant response likely to be the wrong option.

Question 12

Criticism of the model (A03)

Answer 12

• Doesn’t recognise that arousal can diminish performance quality.
• Too simplistic- doesn’t account for different people’s psychology or different sports.