Arousal

• arousal


  the 'energised state' of 'readiness for action'. increases in arousal may be caused by:

  being watched, challenging situation such as a major game
• what skills, performers and personalites go with low arousal

  complex and fine skills

  cognitive

  introvert
• skills, performers and personalities with high arousal

  simple and gross skills

  autonomous

  extrovert
• drive theory


  increases in motivation causes increased drive, more drive = more chance of increased performance. as arousal increases so does performance. performance = function (drive x habit). However it states performance still increases when over aroused which contradicts inverted u theory.

  less info can be processed with high arousal, performer resorts to well learned skills. cognitive may select the wrong option as they haven't learnt correct response however even high level performers "choke" (penalty, false start). if skill = complex = more decisions, high levels of arousal lead to less info that can be processed - might cause mistakes.

  
• inverted u theory


  there is an optimal arousal level at which people perform best at. gross skills, autonomous performers, extroverts (higher arousal). fine, cognitive, introverts (lower arousal)

  Need to consider, nature of the task, skill level and personality

  
• catastrophe theory


  Theory suggesting that increased arousal improves performance to an optimal point but there is a sudden dramatic reduction in performance when arousal increases beyond the optimal if performer fails to control arousal. performance can return to optimum if initial anxiety is mild and the performer has time to recover.

  
• Zone of Optimal Functioning


  the unique area of arousal which allows performer to have maximum concentration and effort. once in correct zone - performance set to improve as: performance flows more effortlessly, reaches supreme confidence, athletes feel in total control. zone links to personality and skill type.

  
• peak flow experience


  The ultimate intrinsic experience felt by athletes from a positive mental attitude, with supreme confidence, focus and efficiency. effected by: poor mental prep, environmental influences (crowds), effects of injury and fatigue. development of flow promoted by intrinsic motives. performer has control over all aspects.
• habit


  most likely response