P2 - Arousal

Question 1

what is arousal?

Answer 1

arousal is the intensity of emotion/motivation/behaviour
Degree of psychological readiness
The amount of drive to achieve

Question 2

what is somatic arousal?

what is cognitive arousal?

Answer 2

Somatic or physiological
Changing physical state of the body
E.g. – Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, Respiration.

Cognitive or psychological arousal
Relates to mental processes
E.g. – worry, nerves, anxiety, decision making, thoughts

Question 3

What is the drive arousal theory?

Answer 3

There is a linear relationship arousal and performance. As arousal increases, performance increases.
Dominant response is more likely as arousal increases.

However, drive theory is subject to drive reduction where performance may deteriorate as a result of motivational losses.

Question 4

what is the inverted U theory of arousal?

Answer 4

Inverted U theory states that performance increases with arousal until it reaches an optimum point at a medium level of arousal.

Any further increases to arousal will result in a decline in performance.

Question 5

how is the modified inverted U theory better?

Answer 5

It recognises that optimum levels of arousal are not the same for all activities or all performers as the inverted U can shift.

It suggests complex or fine skills best with low arousal whereas simple or gross skills best with high arousal.

Extroverts cope with higher arousal or introverts cannot cope with higher arousal.

Question 6

what is the catastrophe theory?

Answer 6

As (somatic) arousal increases, performance increases up to an optimum or midway point. If arousal continues to increase or is (too) high there is a sudden or extreme decline in performance. BUT if arousal/ anxiety is controlled or reduced, performance can improve again.

Question 7

What does Peak Flow mean?

Answer 7

When optimum performance levels are achieved and is associated with an emotional response.

When you are ‘in the zone’ and nothing can go wrong.

Also related to the amount of inner drive and motivation.

Performance is fluent and effortless.

You are enjoying performance and it does not cause stress.

Question 8

what are the pros and cons of the drive theory of arousal?

Answer 8

Explains how dominant response is obtained

does not explain how a cognitive learner being highly aroused will perform worse as the dominant response is not the ideal one.

Does not show how gross and fine skills require different levels of arousal to be performed well.

Drive theory is subject to drive reduction where performance deteriorates as a result of motivational loses

Question 9

what is the dominant response?

Answer 9

prefered motor programs and learned behaviours.

Dominant response is more likely as arousal increases according to the drive theory

Question 10

what are the pros and cons of inverted U theroy?

Answer 10

Successfully shows how too much arousal can decrease performance and not being aroused enough decreases performance. As it gives the idea of optimal arousal

However shows everyone’s optimal arousal too be the same as it Does not show how different personailties require different levels of arousal to achieve maximal arousal. Additionally does not show how different skills require different optimal levels of arousal, e.g gross and fine movements. However the modified inverted u theory does.
Does not consider a sudden crash in performance.
The shape of the curve would not go up and down symmetrically realistically as some people crash in there performance