Arousal

Question 1

Define arousal.

Answer 1

An energised state, a readiness to perform.

Question 2

When is arousal present?

Answer 2

Arousal is present before, during and after sport in varying levels. Correct levels can push you to peak performance, but too little or too much can cause huge problems.

Question 3

How is arousal explained through the Drive Theory (Hull 1943)?

Answer 3

• Initial motivation causes increased drive, more effort, more success and a repitition of the same response.
• It increases in linear fashion.
• It is explained by the formula: P = f (D x H) - Performance is a Function of Drive and Habit strength.
• The more an elite sportsperson is aroused, the better the performance due to the dominant response being chosen is habitual.
• The more a beginners sportsperson is aroused, the dominant response may be incorrect and high levels of arousal can cause a decrease in performance.

Question 4

What is the dominant response?

Answer 4

The dominant response is a response that is most likely to occur in a given situation. It is what happens when we pick up less information (attentional narrowing) and only focus on that when highly aroused.

• If the task is simple or the perfomer 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.

Question 5

What is the zone of optimal functioning?

Answer 5

Area of controlled arousal and high performance.

Question 6

How is arousal explained through the inverted U theory? (Yerkes - Dodson Law 1908)

Answer 6

• Theory that links arousal and performance by stating that increased arosual improves performance to an optimal point at moderate levels of arousal.
• After this “moderate” level, the performer becomes over aroused; which leads to a decrease in performance.
• Under and over arousal can be equally as bad for performance.
• The optimal level of arousal can vary within this as skill level, personality and task undertaken have an effect.
• A moderate level of arousal is not always the best.

Question 7

How does personality influence the type of performer at low and high arousal?

Answer 7

At low arousal…
Introverts perform best because they already have high adrenaline levels.

At high arousal…
Extroverts can tolerate extra adrenaline.

Question 8

How does experience influence the type of performer at low and high arousal?

Answer 8

At low arousal…
A novice performs best because they need to concentrate on lots of info. Uncomfortable under pressure, incorrect dominant response.

At high arousal…
Experts are used to the pressure and can operate on limited info. Dominant response is mainly correct.

Question 9

How does the type/nature of task influence the type of performer at low and high arousal?

Answer 9

At low arousal…
Fine and complex skills are performed best because they require control and decision making.

At high arousal…
Gross and simple skills are performed best because they need less control and decision making.

Question 10

What are some problems with the inverted U theory?

Answer 10

• Critics question if optimal arousal always occurs at the mid-point of the curve.
• One curve does not explain the different optimal levels of arousal needed for simple and complex tasks.

Question 11

How is arousal explained through the catastrophe theory?

Answer 11

• Theory suggesting that increased arousal improves performance to an optimal point but there is a dramatic reduction in performance when arousal increases beyond the optimal.
• Is an adaption of the inverted U theory.
• Increased arousal improves performance to a point but an intense combination of somatic (muscular tension, increased HR) and cognitive (loss of concentration, fear about performance) anxieties causes a dramatic decrease in performance.
• The player can only recover if initial anxiety is low and there is time available.
• Player may not recover.

Question 12

What is the impact of incorrect arousal in sports when under aroused?

Answer 12

• Poor selectice attention
• Lack of concentration
• Social loafing
• Ringelman effect
• Poor reaction time
• Slower decision making
• Attentional wastage
• Attentional narrowing
• Failed to reach peak flow experience/ZOF

Question 13

What is the impact of incorrect arousal in sports when over aroused?

Answer 13

• Poor selective atttention
• Lack of concentration
• Poor reaction time
• Slower decision making
• Attentional wastage
• Attentional narrowing
• Failed to reach peak flow experience/ZOF
• Violence/break rules

Question 14

Define attentional narrowing.

Answer 14

Occurs when a performer is aroused so they focus on certain cues and ignore others. Linked to dominant response.

Question 15

Define attentional wastage.

Answer 15

Performers concentration is misdirected to irrelevant cues. Can damage performance especially novices.

Question 16

Define social loafing.

Answer 16

Individual loss of motovation in a team player due to a lack of performance identification when efforts arent recognised.

Question 17

Define ringelman effect.

Answer 17

When a teams performance decreases with group size.

Question 18

What does Hanin say about arousal?

Answer 18

According to Hanin, athletes perform best not at a point (inverted U) but in an area or ‘zone’ that is reached by advanced cognitive techniques such as imagery and visualisation.

Question 19

What does the ‘zone’ feel like?

Answer 19

• Things flow effortlessly
• A state of supreme confidence
• Calm under pressure
• Total control/focussed
• Smooth performance

Question 20

Define peak flow performance. When does it occur and how is it characterised/promoted?

Answer 20

• The ultimate intrinsic experience felt by athletes from a positive mental attitide, with supreme confidence, focus and efficiency.
• Occurs when timing, action and motion appear to be perfect.
• Characterised by feelings of subconscious control and effortless movement.
• Promoted by positive values oh high confidence, postive mental attitude, control and relaxdness.

Question 21

What are the factors that affect peak flow performance?

Answer 21

• Poor mental prep and failure to reach optimal arousal levels
• Environmental influences - crowd pressure, refs decisions.
• Injury or fatigue

Question 22

What does peak flow performance feel like?

Answer 22

• Good selecitve attention
• Movement or skill feels effortless/physical and mental harmony
• Clear goals
• High levels of confidence
• Sub-conscious feeling of control