Arousal Flashcards
(33 cards)
What is the definition of arousal?
A state of alertness/activation or readiness of an individual to perform a task.
The level of arousal varies on a continuum from deep sleep to extreme arousal.
Arousal involves both physiological and physiological factors.
What are some somatic symptoms of arousal? (Physical)
- increased adrenaline
- increase in HR an BR
- increase in muscular tension
- increase in sweat
- need to urinate
- tightness in stomach
- nausea
- cold, clammy hands
What are some cognitive symptoms of arousal? (Psychological)
- increase in concerntration
- increased focus
- heightened awareness
- attentional narrowing
- quicker reaction time
What factors increase arousal?
- level of competition
- prizes/rewards
- team trial - evaluation
- crowds watching
- importance of the event
- not playing well
When does an increase in arousal help performance?
- increases energy
- helps with simple/gross skills
- helps in a good (autonomous) performer
When does arousal hinder performance?
- complex/fine skills
- beginner performers (cognitive)
What is Hull’s theory of arousal?
Increased arousal causes increased drive which causes increased performance (for some performers).
Recognises a linear relationship between arousal and performance.
What does P=f(DxH) mean?
Performance is a function of habit (how you normally perform) and drive (your level of arousal or motivation).
As drive (arousal) … there is a likelihood that the … … occurs.
- increases
- dominant response
How can an increase of arousal affect the cognitive stage of learning?
Increases in arousal leads to the dominant response being incorrect, so making lots of mistakes.
How can an increase in arousal affect the autonomous stage of learning?
Increases in arousal leads to the dominant response being correct, so making very few mistakes.
What are some positives of Hull’s drive theory?
- very simple to understand and clearly shows the relationship between performance and arousal.
- many performers and coaches believe that the dominant response in indeed what happens with an increase of arousal.
- is accurate when related to certain types of skills.
What are some negatives of Hull’s drive theory?
- doesn’t take into account that the performer might lose motivation.
- the quality of performance does not always increase the arousal.
- doesn’t take into account the performers personality and skill type.
- doesn’t explain why some performers and personalities perform differently.
- some skills are also performed well with a low level of arousal.
What is the inverted U theory?
Performance improves with arousal up to a point (OLA), where increases levels of arousal after this point bring about a decrease in performance.
Performer must aim to reach OLA.
What are symptoms of being under aroused (inverted u theory)?
- little adrenaline
- low heart rate
- lack of concentration/focus
What are symptoms of moderate arousal (inverted u theory)?
- good selective attention and concentration
What are symptoms of over arousal (inverted u theory)?
- body tension
- shaking
- increased HR
- lack of clear thinking
Positive of the inverted u theory
- simple + easy to apply
- accurate that most sports and skills respond positively to arousal up to a point
- recognises that the OLA can differ for different skills/ performer/ personalities/ skill level
Negatives of the inverted u theory
- limited view of the relationship between arousal and performance as it does not take into the effect of different types of arousal on performance
- doesn’t take into account that some performers with the right level of experience and skills may be able to recover once performances started to deteriorate and does not always lead to disaster.
The OLA can be affected by what things?
- type of skill
- skill level of performer
- personality of performer
What happens if anxiety is too high or too low? Catastrophe
If low levels of cognitive state anxiety (no negative thoughts) and low levels of somatic anxiety (sweating and high HR), as performer has increased arousal the inverted U happens.
If high levels of cognitive state anxiety and high level of somatic anxiety, as the performer’s arousal passes the optimal point, they will experience a sudden drop in performance - CATASTROPHE
What is catastrophe theory?
Performance does not always decline gradually after the optimal level of arousal has been reached - instead sometimes, a dramatic decline occurs - catastrophe
Positive of catastrophe
- represents a realistic picture of why performers choke/ performance suddenly drops
- takes into account the effects of both cognitive and somatic types of arousal on performance
- takes into account the fact that the performer can recover by lowing arousal
Negatives of catastrophe
- not all performers will suffer a sudden drop in performance when over aroused
- it is also not true that optimum arousal has a mid way point
- doesn’t take into account personality, level of performer and type of skill
