Skill acquisition - Theories of arousal

Question 1

Drive theory (1952) description

Answer 1

-There is a linear relationship between arousal and performance. As arousal increases, performance increases
-Dominant response is more likely as arousal increases
(dominant response=preferred motor programmes and learned behaviour)

Question 2

Drive theory calculation

Answer 2

Personality= Function of (habit x drive) P=f (HxD)
-However, drive theory is subject to drive reduction where performance may deteriorate as a result of motivational losses

Question 3

Drive Theory

Answer 3

draw it out

Question 4

Drive Theory Strengths and weaknesses

Answer 4

Strengths
-Shows clearly the linear relationship between arousal level and performance quality
Weaknesses
-Doesn’t give any indication of the consequences of over arousal, and also implies that a person’s performance and arousal have no limitations because the graph shows that both just continue to increase

Question 5

Inverted U theory description

Answer 5

• 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 6

Inverted U Theory

Answer 6

draw it out

Question 7

Inverted U Theory strengths and weaknesses

Answer 7

Strengths
-Indicates clearly the relationship between arousal levels and performance quality
Weaknesses
-It is very unlikely that performance decreases in a smooth declining arc, it is more likely that over arousal leads to a vertical plummet

Question 8

Modified Inverted U Theory description

Task, skill and personality

Answer 8

• 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 are best with low arousal, whereas simple or gross skills are best with high arousal
• Extroverts cope with higher arousal and introverts cannot cope with higher arousal

Question 9

Modified Inverted U Theory

-performance level

Answer 9

Optimum performance and phase of learning;

• Autonomous learners= higher arousal
• Cognitive learners= lower arousal

Question 10

Modified Inverted U Theory

Answer 10

draw it out

Question 11

Modified Inverted U Theory strengths and weaknesses

Answer 11

Strengths
-It recognises that optimum levels of arousal are not the same for all activities and describes how the Inverted U can shift
Weaknesses
-Critics observe and question if arousal always occurs at the midway-point of the shift

Question 12

Catastrophe Theory description

Answer 12

• 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
• If high cognitive arousal/anxiety confides with or interacts with high somatic anxiety, it causes loss of control/ co-ordination/concentration or decision making skills

Question 13

Catastrophe theory

Answer 13

draw it out

Question 14

Catastrophe Theory strengths and weaknesses

Answer 14

Strengths
-Being aware of the findings from the graph is important for coaches to prevent their athletes from a sudden drop in performance that can occur from high arousal
Weaknesses
-Not all performers will have a dramatic/sudden decline in performance when over aroused

Question 15

Peak Flow description

Answer 15

Peak flow= When optimum performance levels are achieved and is associated with an emotional response

• When you are ‘in the zone’ and nothing can go wrong
• Related to the amount of inner drive and motivation
• Performance is fluent and effortless

Question 16

IZOF description

Answer 16

Individual zone of functioning= When the performers level of arousal/anxiety is at the optimum level, they will give their best performance

• Hanin (1986) found that some performers succeeded when anxiety was high but some when it was low
• He said a general relationship between anxiety and performance did not exist but that each athlete has their own preferred level of anxiety