Sports psychology

Question 1

Arousal Definition

Answer 1

The state of alertness or readiness of an individual to perform a task. It varies on a continuum from deep sleep to extreme excitement.

Question 2

What does somatic mean?

Answer 2

Physical

Question 3

What are 5 somatic symptoms of arousal?

Answer 3

Increase in adrenaline
Increase in HR and BR
Increase in muscle tension
Increase in Sweat
Need to urinate and nausea

Question 4

What does Cognitive mean?

Answer 4

Psychological

Question 5

What are 5 cognitive symptoms of arousal?

Answer 5

Increase in concentration
Increased focus
Heightened awareness
Attentional narrowing
Decreased reaction time

Question 6

What are 5 ways in which the sporting situation can increase arousal?

Answer 6

Level of competition
Prizes/rewards
Team trials - evaluation
Crowds watching
Not playing well

Question 7

What 3 ways can increased arousal improve performance?

Answer 7

Increases energy
Helps simple/gross skills
Helps a good (autonomous) performer

Question 8

What 2 ways can increased arousal hinder performance?

Answer 8

The ability to perform complex/fine skills
Beginner (cognitive) performer

Question 9

What is Hulls Drive Theory?

Answer 9

Increased arousal causes increased drive which causes increased performance (for some performers) recognising a linear relationship between arousal and performance.

Question 10

What is the equation for Hulls Drive Theory?

Answer 10

P = f(D*H)

Question 11

What does the equation for hulls drive theory mean?

Answer 11

Performance is a function of habit and drive.

Question 12

As drive ( arousal ) ___________, there is a likelihood that the ___________ _________ occurs.

Answer 12

increases
dominant response

Question 13

HDT
What is the effect of arousal on a cognitive learner?

Answer 13

Increased arousal leads to the dominant response being incorrect, so making lots of mistakes.

Question 14

What are three positive aspects of HDT?

Answer 14

1) Simple and easy to understand, clearly showing the relationship between arousal and performance.
2) Many performers and coaches believe that dominant response is indeed what happens when their arousal increases.
3) It is also accurate when related to types of skills as some require more arousal and therefore performance increases.

Question 14

HDT
What is the effect of arousal on an autonomous learner?

Answer 14

Increased arousal leads to the dominant response being incorrect, so making very few mistakes.

Question 15

What are 3 negative aspects of HDT?

Answer 15

1) Doesn’t take into account the idea that performers may lose motivation and therefor be the reason of reduced performance.
2) Doesn’t take into account individual differences such as personality and skill type.
3) some skills/simple/gross skills are performed well at low arousal.

Question 16

What does the inverted U theory state?

Answer 16

Performance improves with arousal up to an optimal point where increased arousal after this point brings about a decrease in performance.

Question 17

What are some symptoms of under arousal?

Answer 17

Physiological: sluggish - little adrenaline - low HR
Cognitive: Lack of concentration/focus

Question 18

What are some symptoms of moderate arousal?

Answer 18

Optimal level of arousal, good selective attention and concentration

Question 19

What are some symptoms of over arousal?

Answer 19

Physiological: tension - shaking- Increase in HR
Cognitive: Lack of clear thinking/focus

Question 20

What are 3 positive aspects of Inverted U Theory?

Answer 20

1) Simple and easy to apply
2) Many performers refer to being at optimal arousal.
3) It recognises that the optimal levels can differ for different performers/ personalities/ skill level/ types of skill

Question 21

What are 2 negative aspects of Inverted U Theory?

Answer 21

1) Doesn’t take into account the different effects of arousal on performance as it may not always be a gradual decline and instead could be drastic.

Question 22

what arousal level do complex and fine skills need?

Answer 22

Lower arousal

Question 23

What arousal level do simple and gross skills need?

Answer 23

Higher arousal

Question 24

How does an extroverted personality get effected by arousal?

Answer 24

Extroverts enjoy high levels of excitement and can usually perform well in a high arousal situation because their RAS reduces incoming stimuli.

Question 25

How does an introverted personality get effected by arousal?

Answer 25

Introverts are more likely to perform well under low arousal conditions as their RAS enhances incoming stimuli.

Question 26

What is the RAS?

Answer 26

The Reticular Activating system in the brain which controls and measures levels of adrenaline in the body.