19. Arousal Theories Flashcards
(15 cards)
arousal definition
state of alertness and anticipation that prepares the body for action
reticular activating system (RAS)
controls the level of arousal and therefore controls readiness and drive to perform
RAS links to personality
introverts have a highly stimulated RAS so avoid stressful situations
→ thrive in lower pressure
extroverts need higher arousal situations to stimulate RAS
→ thrive in higher pressure
theories of arousal
- drive theory
- inverted U theory
- catastrophe theory
- zone of optimal functioning
drive theory
as arousal increases, performance increases
directly proportional/linear
performance is function of drive and habit
→ P=f(HxD)
ao3 limitation
- too simplistic too suggest high arousal = high performance
dominant response definition
habitual response that is thought to be correct by performer
dominant response of performers
cognitive: underdeveloped DR, learns better at low arousal
autonomous: developed DR, can cope with high arousal
only relevant up to a point
inverted U theory
as arousal increases so does performance, up to optimal point, then gradual decrease in performance as arousal continues to increase
optimum point will vary depending on:
-characteristic of skill / type of task
- level of performer
- personality
catastrophe theory
arousal improves performance up to a point, then performance decreases rapidly (sudden dramatic collapse)
collapse due to:
- combination of cognitive and somatic anxiety effects
once catastrophe has occurred, athlete needs to relax below point of optimum arousal where catastrophe happened
if arousal controlled, performance can improve & rejoin upward curve
relationship between arousal and anxiety
somatic anxiety - increases as arousal increases, peaks right before competition
cognitive anxiety - can occur at any arousal level, especially high when perceived as threatening, fluctuates based on the individual’s perception
when both are high, catastrophe occurs
zone of optimal functioning
instead of optimum arousal point, there is an optimal zone
different for all athletes and they can use their experience and techniques to reach this optimum zone
a zone is …
- a mental state where athletes believe they can perform at their best
- getting ‘in the zone’
- involves heightened focus
- losing themself in the moment
- everything flows effortlessly
peak flow / flow state definition
a mental state where a person performing an activity is fully absorbed with a feeling of energised focus, full involvement and enjoyment
peak flow characteristics
- high confidence
- fully focused
- heightened attention
- fluent, effortless
- consistent
peak flow disruptions
- opposition
- injury, fatigue
- lack of motivation
- lack of anticipation
- environment
- fans, crowd
