Arousal

• What is arousal ?

  Levels of inner drive

  Needs to be under control

  Can be positive / negative

  Can cause worry / anxiety
• What is the drive theory ?

  Higher arousal = higher performance

  Well learned skill = dominant performance

  Poorly learned skill = poor performance
• What is the inverted U theory ?

  Arousal above optimum = decrease in performance

  Gross skill optimum moves right

  Fine skill optimum moves left

  Extrovert can cope with more arousal than an introvert

  Autonomous learner - cope with higher arousal than a cognitive learner
• What is peak flow experience ?

  Zone optimum functioning

  Described as being in the zone
• What is the reticular activating system ?

  Controls levels of arousal

  Introverts dislike arousal as their RAS is already stimulated
• What is the catastrophe theory ?

  Arousal is to high there can be complete loss of performance

  Performer can recover after a catastrophe