Sport Psychology: Arousal

Question 1

What is arousal?

Answer 1

An energised state, a readiness to perform

Question 2

How can arousal be increased?

Answer 2

Simply by being watched or by a challenging situation such as a major game

Question 3

What is the drive theory?

Answer 3

The initial motivation causes increased drive, more effort, more success and a repetition of the same response

Question 4

What is the dominant response?

Answer 4

At high arousal we pick up less information (attentional narrowing) and focus on the dominant response

Question 5

How does the dominant response differ for easy and difficult tasks or when the performer is an expert or a novice?

Answer 5

If the task is simple or the performer is an expert then the dominant response will be correct
If the task is complex or the performer is a novice then the response may be impaired

Question 6

What would it mean if an elite sports person is more aroused?

Answer 6

The more aroused an elite sports person is the better their performance is due to the dominant response being chosen is habitual

Question 7

What would it mean if a beginner sports person is more aroused?

Answer 7

The more a beginner sports person is aroused the more likely the dominant response may be incorrect and high levels of arousal can cause a deterioration in performance

Question 8

What is the ‘Inverted U Theory’ ?

Answer 8

The theory that links arousal and performance by stating that increased arousal improves performance to an optimal point at moderate levels of arousal

Question 9

What does the ‘Inverted U Theory’ suggest about excess arousal?

Answer 9

More arousal causes performance to suffer

Question 10

How would personality be for an introvert with low arousal?

Answer 10

Introverts perform best here because they already have high adrenaline levels

Question 11

How would personality be for an extrovert with high arousal?

Answer 11

Extroverts can tolerate extra adrenaline so this may not really affect them

Question 12

How would experience in a novice look like with low arousal?

Answer 12

A novice would perform best because they need to concentrate on lots of info. This would be unfortunate under pressure (high arousal) and would result in the incorrect dominant response

Question 13

How would experience look for someone with high arousal?

Answer 13

Experts are used to the pressure and can operate on limited info. Dominant response is mainly correct

Question 14

How does the nature of a task affect someone with low arousal?

Answer 14

Fine and complex skills are performed best because they require control and decision making

Question 15

How does the nature of a task affect someone with high arousal?

Answer 15

Gross and simple skills are performed best because they need less control and decision making

Question 16

What are the problems with the ‘Inverted U Theory’ ?

Answer 16

. Critics question if optimal arousal always occurs at the mid-point of the curve
. One curve does not explain the different optimal levels of arousal needed for simple and complex tasks

Question 17

What is the ‘Catastrophe Theory’ ?

Answer 17

A theory suggesting that increased arousal improves performance to an optimal point but there is a dramatic reduction in performance when arousal increases beyond the optimal

Question 18

What is the ‘Catastrophe Theory’ an adaption of?

Answer 18

It is an adaptation of the ‘Inverted U Theory’

Question 19

What does an increase in arousal do to performance according to the catastrophe theory?

Answer 19

Increased arousal improves performance to a point but an intense combination of somatic (muscular tension and increased HR) and cognitive (loss of concentration, fear about performance) anxieties causes a dramatic deterioration in performance

Question 20

What are the impacts of under-arousal? (5)

Answer 20

*. Social loafing
*. Ringleman effect
*. Attentional wastage
*. Attentional narrowing
*. Lack of concentration/focus
. Poor selective attention/cues missed
. Slower/poor reaction time/ slower decision making
. Failed to reach zone of optimal functioning/peak flow experience

Question 21

What are the impacts of over-arousal? (5)

Answer 21

*. Violence
*. Break rules
*. Attentional wastage
*. Attentional narrowing
*. Lack of concentration/focus
. Poor selective attention/cues missed
. Slower/poor reaction time/slower decision making
. Failed to reach zone of optimal functioning/peak flow experience

Question 22

What is attentional wastage?

Answer 22

Performers concentration is misdirected to irrelevant cues. It can damage performance especially in novices

Question 23

What is social loafing?

Answer 23

Individual loss of motivation in a team player due to a lack of performance identification - efforts aren’t recognised

Question 24

What is attentional narrowing?

Answer 24

Occurs when a performer is aroused so they focus on certain cues and ignore others. Linked to dominant response

Question 25

What is the Ringleman effect?

Answer 25

When a teams performance decreases with group size increasing

Question 26

What is the zone of optimal functioning?

Answer 26

Area of controlled arousal and high level performance

Question 27

What does Hanin say that athletes perform the best at?

Answer 27

Athletes perform best in an area or ‘zone’ that is reached by advanced techniques such as imagery and visualisation

Question 28

What is the ‘ZOF’ an adapted version of?

Answer 28

An adapted version of the ‘Inverted U’

Question 29

What would the ‘ZOF’ feel like? (3)

Answer 29

*. Things flow effortlessly
*. A state of supreme confidence
*. Remains calm under the utmost pressure
. The athlete feels that they are in total control of their actions
. Results can be smooth effortless performances

Question 30

What is peak flow performance?

Answer 30

The ultimate intrinsic experience felt by athletes from a positive mental attitude, with supreme confidence, focus and efficiency

Question 31

When does peak flow performance occur?

Answer 31

Occurs when timing, action and motion appear to be perfect

Question 32

How is peak flow performance characterised?

Answer 32

Characterised by subconscious control and effortless movement

Question 33

How is peak flow performance promoted?

Answer 33

Promoted by positive values of high confidence, positive mental attitude, control and relaxedness

Question 34

What factors disrupt peak flow performance?

Answer 34

. Poor mental preparation and the failure to reach optimal arousal levels
. Environmental influences - crowd pressure, ref’s decision
. Injury or fatigue

Question 35

What does peak flow performance feel like? (3)

Answer 35

*. Highly focused on the task
*. Movement of skill feels effortless
*. High levels of confidence
. Clear goals
. Sub-conscious feelings of control

Question 36

The Inverted U Theory suggests that a moderate level of arousal can produce optimum performance. Explain why this might not always be the case?

Answer 36

Moderate levels of arousal is not always appropriate due to the nature of the task and the performer’s level. This would be based on whether they are a novice or an expert and if the task is complex or easy. For example, a simple or gross skill is best at high arousal and a simple or fine skill is best at low arousal