Arousal

Question 1

Arousal (definition)

Background (4 parts)

Answer 1

the degree of activation and readiness to perform a task

• Arousal prepares the body for action and includes an increase in adrenaline levels, heart rate and muscular anticipation (physiological effects).
• High arousal can also cause us to worry and become anxious; which is a negative aspect if it is not controlled. However; increased levels of arousal up to a certain point can cause a state of readiness; which is deemed to be positive and therefore, can enhance performance.
• Arousal is a physiological and psychological state which can affect a performer’s preparation for action. It is neither positive nor negative however, how the arousal is used by the performer dictate future performances and motivation.
• The level of arousal that a performer has (too little, too much) can have a detrimental effect on performance. If this occurs our concentration and decision-making skills can become impaired.

Question 2

Drive theory (4 points) with formula

Answer 2

• Linear positive relationship between Performance and Arousal
• Novice performers with high arousal low performance because dominant response is not well learnt
• Experienced performers perform well because dominant response is well learnt

Drive reduction theory:

 - The drive of the performer may well be reduced if the individual loses motivation 
  - If the performer feels as though they are performing to the best of their ability, the performance may become habitual leading to them seeing no reason in being motivated or 'driven' to do better.

P=F(HxD)
P = Performance
H = Habit
D = Drive

Question 3

Inverted U theory

Answer 3

There is underarousal, overarousal and an optimum point and this is based on:

Personality of the performer:

• Introverts find it hard to cope with heightened arousal
• Extroverts find that higher arousal is better

Skill level of the performer:

• Autonomous, easier to hack higher levels of arousal
• Novice, struggle as they find it difficult to focus on relevant cues

Nature of the task:

• Fine and complex skills require low levels of arousal
• Gross and simple skills require high arousal

Question 4

Catastrophe theory (4 things)

Answer 4

• As arousal increases there is a sudden drop in performance
• Increase in cognitive arousal after optimum point will lead to dramatic deterioration in performance
• Suffer from somatic anxiety - body - eg. sweating
• Suffer from cognitive anxiety - mind - eg. worrying
• The theory suggests in cognitive anxiety will hinder performance if somatic anxiety is low.
• Means if the body is relaxed but the performer is feeling anxious then this anxiety can help to improve performance

Question 5

Peak Flow Experience (2 points)

Answer 5

• Peak flow experience is a phrase that is used by sports performers who achieve optimum performance levels and associate this with a particular emotion.
• When sports performers are experiencing this they feel as though nothing can go wrong with their performance; they relate this to ‘being in the zone’.

Question 6

Factor linking to Peak Flow Experience (4 points)

Answer 6

• Positive mental attitude, high levels of self-efficacy
• Highly focused on task due to high good selective attention
• Movement of skill feels effortless
• Performer is relaxed and controlling anxieties

Question 7

Impacts of overarousal (4 things and their definition)

Answer 7

EVALUATION APPREHENSION
- Fear of performance being judged

COGNITIVE ANXIETY
- Negative thoughts/emotions

SOMATIC ANXIETY
- Increased physiological responses

SELECTIVE ATTENTION
- Unable to focus on relevant cues