arousal

Question 1

what is arousal

Answer 1

• a level of activation, a degree of readiness to perform

Question 2

what is arousal drive theory

Answer 2

• a theory of arousal, that proposes a linear relationship between arousal and performance as arousal increases so does the quality of the performance.

Question 3

what are the problems with drive theory

Answer 3

• the habitual behaviour/ dominant response is not always the correct one
• by increasing drive performers often resort to previously learned skills because they are dominant but may be incorrect.
• even highly skilled players choke in highly charged situations

Question 4

what is dominant response

Answer 4

the standout response that performers thinks are correct.

Question 5

what are the characteristics of dominant response

Answer 5

• Suggest that when we are highly aroused less information is processed and there for the response tends to be what would be described as the ‘dominant response’.
• For example when a beginner is highly aroused they are more likely to make a mistake as they are unaware as to what the correct response (‘dominant response’) is thus causing a reduction in their performance.

Question 6

what is the inverted U - theory

Answer 6

the theory linking arousal and performance by stating that increased arousal improves performance to an optimal point at moderate levels of arousal

Question 7

what is catastrophe theory

Answer 7

• a theory that predicts a rapid decline in performance resulting from the combination of high cognitive anxiety and increasing from the combination of high cognitive anxiety and increasing somatic anxiety.

Question 8

what is the zone of optimal functioning

Answer 8

the area between the upper and lower levels of arousal within which optimal performances take place

Question 9

what is peak flow

Answer 9

an optimal experience that facilitates the best performance and is is an intrinsically valuable experience.

Question 10

what are the characteristics of catastrophe theory

Answer 10

• It suggests that when a performer becomes over aroused there isn’t a slow decline in performance there is a sudden drop off in performance.
• It is more a model than a theory because it tries to predict human behaviour rather than explain it.
• Physiological arousal is related to performance in an inverted u fashion when the athlete is not worried or has low cognitive anxiety state anxiety.
• If cognitive anxiety Is high, the increases in arousal and a rapid decline in performance occurs (catastrophe).