Theories of Arousal

Arousal- Level of psychological and physiological activation

Cognitive Arousal- psychological symptoms, being awake and alert

Somatic Arousal- physiological symptoms of sweating and high heart rate.

Theories

Drive Theory

Inverted- U

As arousal increases so does performance in a linear correlation

As arousal increase the dominant response becomes more present

For Elite performers, this is a positive response, because skills are well learnt

For Novice performers, this is a negative response because skills aren't as well learned, so revert to poor performance

Does cater for concept of over arosal

Caters for over arousal theory

Performance does increase, until over arousal causes decline

Linked to cue utilization

With too low arousal we don't acknowledge the correct cues and aren't aroused.

Optimum arousal we have selective attention for the correct cues = Optimum performance

Over arousal- performers begin to take in too many cues which leads to over load and a drop in performance

Individual zone of optimal arousal

Affected by personality

Extrovert

Introverts

Task Difficulty

Gross

Complex

Experience

Catastrophe Theory

Takes into consideration both anxiety and arousal.

Control over arousal can lead to peak performance

If we don't control then catastrophe can occur

We can return to preferred arousal then we can return to good performance with time