Arousal in sport

Question 1

Arousal definition

Answer 1

A level of activation, a degree of readiness to perform, a drive to achieve.

Question 2

Who was the Drive Theory created by?

Answer 2

Clark Hull

Question 3

Drive theory

Answer 3

• Performance is said to be the function of drive multiplied by habit
• Increased motivation causes increased drive
• Works in linear fashion

Question 4

Drive theory and the dominant response

Answer 4

• increased drive doesn’t always improve performance
• less info is processed and more focus on dominant response
• dominant response in experts tends to be correct response

Question 5

Critiques of drive theory and the dominant response (2)

Answer 5

• Doesn’t take into account other factors of arousal
• Doesn’t take into account mistakes

Question 6

The inverted U theory was created by who?

Answer 6

Yerkes and Dodson

Question 7

The inverted U theory

Answer 7

• arousal increases + performance increases but only up to optimal point
• over and under arousal can both be negative to performance
• aim is to get OPTIMAL AROUSAL levels

Question 8

The optimum level of arousal can depend on…
(3)

Answer 8

• Experience
• Personality
• Task

Question 9

The optimum level of arousal can depend on:

Experience

Answer 9

Expert or beginner

Question 10

The optimum level of arousal can depend on:

Personality

Answer 10

Extrovert or introvert

Question 11

The optimal level of arousal can depend on:

Task

Answer 11

Gross/fine or Complex/simple

Question 12

Catastrophe theory was created by…

Answer 12

Rene Thom

Question 13

What are the two types of anxiety involved in the catastrophe theory?

Answer 13

Cognitive and somatic

Question 14

What’s cognitive anxiety?

Answer 14

• psychological
• includes;
  Loss of concentration
  Worries about performance

Question 15

What’s somatic anxiety?

Answer 15

• physiological
• includes;
  Muscular tension
  Increased HR
  Sweating

Question 16

What does the catastrophe theory suggest?

Answer 16

Increased arousal causes performance to peak at an optimal level
Rather than gradual deterioration, there is a sudden dramatic reduction in performance

Question 17

The zone of optimal functioning

Answer 17

• increased arousal can improve performance
• theres a zone for maximum control and confidence

Question 18

What happens when you are in the zone of optimal functioning?

Answer 18

• things seem to flow effortlessly
• performer reaches a state of supreme confidence and remains calm under upmost pressure
• athlete feels they are in total control

Question 19

Factors that affect peak flow experience

Answer 19

• poor mental preparation
• environmental influences such as pressure from the crowd or frustration caused by a ref/decision
• effect of injury or fatigue during a game

Question 20

Intrinsic motives come from
(Peak flow experience)

Answer 20

Mental attitude
High levels of confidence

Question 21

What is the peak flow experience?

Answer 21

The ultimate intrinsic experience, characterised by a belief in ability to;
Complete the challenge
Clear goals
Total focus
Effortless movement
Subconscious feeling of control