Arousal Flashcards
What is arousal ?
Arousal is a state of readiness to perform
What is the drive theory ?
Initial motivation causes drive, more effort, more success and repetition of the same response.
The more an elite performer is aroused the better their performance due to the dominant response being chosen is habitual
What is the dominant response ?
At high arousal we pick up less information (attentional narrowing) and focus on the
dominant response.
- If the task is simple or the performer is an expert, then this response will be correct.
- If the task is complex or the performer is a novice, then performance may be impaired.
What is the inverted U theory ?
Theory that links arousal and performance by stating that increased arousal improves performance to an optimal point at moderate levels of arousal
What does the inverted U theory state about under or over arousal on performance ?
Both under and over arousal can be equally bad for performance of the athlete
What type of personalities perform best at low arousal ?
Introverts perform best because they already have high adrenaline levels
What type of personality performs best at high arousal ?
Extroverts as they can control extra adrenaline
What type of experience performs best at low arousal ?
A novice performs best because they need to concentrate on lots of info. Uncomfortable under pressure, incorrect dominant response
What type of experience performs best at high arousal ?
Experts are used to the pressure and can operate on limited info. Dominant response is mainly correct
What type of task is performed best at low arousal ?
Fine and complex skills are performed best because they require control and decision making.
What type of skill is performed best at high arousal ?
Gross and simple skills are performed best because they need less control and decision making
What are some problems with the inverted U theory ?
Some people question wether optimal arousal always occurs at the midpoint of the graph
One curve doesn’t explain the different optimal arousal for simple and complex tasks
What is the the catastrophe theory ?
Adaption to the inverted U theory
Increased arousal improves performance to an optimal level however too much arousal causes a dramatic drop in performance whilst the inverted U theory showed a much more gradual decrease in performance
What are the consequences of under arousal ?
Poor selective attention / cues missed
Lack of concentration / focus
Social loafing
Ringlemen effect
Poor reaction time / slower decision making
Attention wastage / narrowing
Failed to reach peak performance
What are the consequences of over arousal ?
poor selective attention / cues missed
lack of concentration/focus
slower / poor reaction time / response
time/slower decision making
Attentional wastage
Attentional narrowing
Failed to reach zone of optimal functioning / peak flow experience
Violence
Break rules
