Arousal, stress, and performance Flashcards
What is drive theory?
Arousal increases the likeliness that the dominant response will occur. Effects of arousal on performance depends on skill level
What is the relation between arousal and skill level according to drive theory?
In early stages of learning, skill execution is usually incorrect, so high arousal impairs performance. In advanced stages of learning, skill execution is usually correct, so high arousal improves performance
What are problems with drive theory?
Too simplistic; predictions often fall short; e.g. can’t explain choking under pressure
What is inverted-U theory?
Increased arousal improves performance up to a point, after which further increases impair performance
How does type of sport relate to levels of optimal arousal according to inverted-U theory?
Fine motor skills require lower optimal arousal, as fewer muscle groups are recruited in the action. Gross motor skills require higher optimal arousal, as lots of muscle groups are recruited in the action
What is the problem with drive and inverted-U theories?
Only look at somatic anxiety
What is multi-dimensional anxiety theory?
Proposed distinction between cognitive and somatic anxiety. CA has a negative relationship with performance, and SA has an inverted-U relationship with performance
Why does CA have a negative relationship with performance according to the multi-dimensional anxiety theory?
Because it distracts. However, there is a limitation in that elite athletes regard it as facilitative
What is the problem with drive, inverted-U, and multi-dimensional theories?
None detail how anxiety and arousal exert their effects on performance. More recent theories provide speculative mechanisms
What does processing efficiency theory outline?
Based on the assumption that individuals have a limited pool of attentional resources, processing efficiency refers to the amount of resources used to perform a task. According to PET, anxiety has two functions: to consume attentional resources, such that anxiety reduces processing efficiency; and to increase effort, such that processing efficiency is still reduced, but performance level is not. Summary: anxiety has a motivational function that can improve performance, but too much anxiety acts as a distraction which impairs performance
What were the results from the 2011 study into competition (high anxiety) vs “do your best” (low anxiety)?
Competition had higher endurance, due to increased anxiety and effort. However, could be due to the motivation of a financial reward, or being part of a team
What were the results from the 2016 study into self-competition (low anxiety) vs leader-board competition (medium anxiety) vs leader-board plus money incentive (high anxiety)?
Higher anxiety, heart rate, and effort as pressure increased. Putts holed decreased in number with increased pressure, but mean radical error remained constant: getting ball in requires lots of resources so is more likely to be negatively affected by anxiety; getting ball close requires less resources, so is less likely to have a negative effect
Summarise PET’s conclusion regarding summary?
Anxiety has a motivational function that improves performance, but too much anxiety acts as a distraction which impairs performance
