Arousal Flashcards
(23 cards)
What is arousal
The intensity of emotion along with the degree of psychological readiness. It can also link to the amount of drive to achieve
What are characteristics of being in the zone of optimal functioning
1) performer is focussed and fully concentrating
2) performance appears automatic
3) high levels of confidence
4) enjoyment and satisfaction is experienced
What are the three key theories of arousal
1) drive theory
2) catastrophe theory
3) inverted u theory
If a performer can reach optimum levels of arousal and appropriate levels of anxiety, they’re said to be in what zone
Zone of optimal functioning
What is the drive theory
It proposes that as the levels of arousal increases, the dominant response of the athlete is more likely to occur. As arousal increases, performance increases
What is the inverted u theory
It explains the observed effects of people becoming over-aroused by showing that performance increases with arousal up to an optimal point. After that, it deteriorates and performance levels decreases
What is the catastrophe theory
As arousal levels increase, performance increases up to an optimal point. However, this pattern only occurs if somatic anxiety remains low while cognitive anxiety increases. If both cognitive and somatic anxiety increase a the same time, performance deteriorates rapidly. However, the effects can be reversed and performance can improve again by performing techniques such as breathing exercises or muscle relaxation
Advantages of catastrophe theory
1) It explains why the use of stress techniques such as deep breathing exercises can be successful during performance when athletes find themselves becoming over aroused
2) It clarifies the effect of somatic and cognitive anxiety
3) It shows a sudden decrease in performance is more likely than a gradual decrease
Disadvantages of catastrophe theory
1) Not all performers have a rapid decrease in performance when over aroused
2) Rapid decreases in performance could be said to only happen at extremely high levels of arousal e.g. World Cup, Olympics
3) some performers cope really well with cognitive arousal by using stress/ anxiety management strategies. But they first need to know how to utilise these to allow this.
What does inverted u theory state about under arousal
The performer is not activated or stimulated enough to perform. Their attentional field will be too broad meaning they’ll miss environmental cues as they’re not concentrating well enough. This could lead to information overload.
What does inverted u theory state about over arousal
The performance deteriorates. The performer may be in a highly agitated state or experienced panic. Their attentional field has narrowed down causing them to miss environmental cues. For example, a footballer misses a penalty in an important shoot out as they’re trying too hard
What does the inverted u theory state about optimal arousal
Selective attention is fully operational. The performer can filter the relevant information from the irrelevant and concentrate completely on the specific environmental cues required to perform
Example of inverted u theory
A cognitive performer is best taught skills in a low level of arousal environment. It’s better that no one is watching and that competition is not applied in the early stages of learning
What is taps (arousal)
Task, ability, performance, skill level
Advantages of inverted u theory
1) simple, easy to understand
2) more realistic than drive theory as it considers TAPS
3) helps coaches to understand the effects of arousal on performance
Disadvantages of inverted u theory
1) too simple
2) doesn’t consider the effect of different types of arousal on performance
3) it doesn’t say what happens after people under perform when over aroused. Or once performance starts to deteriorate it doesn’t always carry on getting worse. Performance can recover after over arousal has occured
What relationship is shown between arousal and performance in drive theory
Linear relationship
At high arousal, what response is the performer likely to revert too in the drive theory
The correct dominant response
What is the correct dominant response
This is a well learned skill the performer will use when under immense competitive pressure
Why does arousal levels depend on TAPS (drive theory)
1) if the performer is autonomous, their dominant response will likely to be correct
2) if the skill is a gross or simple skill, the dominant response is likely to be correct
3) if the performer is in the cognitive/associative stage of learning, they won’t be able to cope with high levels of arousal so their dominant response is likely to be incorrect
4) if doesn’t count for elite athletes deteriorating under immense pressure
Advantages of drive theory
1) helps coaches understand the effects of arousal on performance
2) it’s more accurate as jr relates arousal to the dominant response and states that if it’s incorrect performance deteriorates and if its correct performance improves
3) for some performers (elite, extroverts) it’s an accurate representation of what happens when arousal increases e.g. team GB at London Olympics
Disadvantages of drive theory
1) quality of performance does not always increase when levels of arousal increase
2) doesn’t take into account individual differences
3) doesn’t explain why extroverts, elite athletes perform well at low arousal e.g. scoring a goal in football training when not trying hard
