ArousalArousal

Theories of arousal and the Theories of arousal and the consequencesconsequences

Arousal is a blend of physiological and psychological activity in a person, and it refers to the intensity dimensions of motivation at a particular moment.

The intensity of arousal falls on a continuum ranging from not aroused at all to completely aroused.

Aroused = mental and physical activation, increased heart rates, respiration and sweating.

Drive theoryDrive theory

• Research by Hull (1943) and Research by Hull (1943) and Spence and Spence (1966). Spence and Spence (1966).

• A proportional linear A proportional linear relationship between arousal relationship between arousal and performance. and performance.

• The more a sports person was The more a sports person was aroused the better their aroused the better their performance OR P= H X D.performance OR P= H X D.

• Hull thought drive was Hull thought drive was synonymous with arousal. The synonymous with arousal. The habit strength was a learned habit strength was a learned behaviour/ dominant response behaviour/ dominant response which occurred more often as which occurred more often as drive levels increased.drive levels increased.

Problems with Drive theoryProblems with Drive theory

• The habitual behaviour/ dominant response is not always The habitual behaviour/ dominant response is not always the correct one (think of beginners) the correct one (think of beginners)

• By increasing drive (arousal) performers often resort to By increasing drive (arousal) performers often resort to previously learned skills because they are dominant but previously learned skills because they are dominant but may be incorrect. may be incorrect.

• In later stages of learning increased drive (arousal) would In later stages of learning increased drive (arousal) would have a positive effect because the dominant response is have a positive effect because the dominant response is well learned. well learned.

• Even highly skilled players ‘choke’ in highly charged Even highly skilled players ‘choke’ in highly charged situations.situations.

• Is it possible that in low arousal/ stress situations players will Is it possible that in low arousal/ stress situations players will not perform well, but in highly aroused situations, players not perform well, but in highly aroused situations, players will get increasingly better?will get increasingly better?

Inverted ‘U’ theoryInverted ‘U’ theory

• Yerkes and Dodson (1908) Yerkes and Dodson (1908) • At low levels of arousal, At low levels of arousal,

performance will be below performance will be below par, the athlete is not psyched par, the athlete is not psyched up. up.

• As arousal increases so does As arousal increases so does performance, up to an optimal performance, up to an optimal point. After this point, further point. After this point, further increases in arousal lead to increases in arousal lead to declines in performance. declines in performance.

• Each athlete has their own Each athlete has their own optimal level of arousal. optimal level of arousal.

• Optimal arousal is higher for Optimal arousal is higher for more simple tasks and lower more simple tasks and lower for more complex tasks.for more complex tasks.

Problems with inverted ‘U’ Problems with inverted ‘U’ theorytheory• Most athletes and coaches can relate to this theory. Most athletes and coaches can relate to this theory.

• Critics question if optimal arousal always occurs at the mid-Critics question if optimal arousal always occurs at the mid-point of the curve. point of the curve.

• One curve does not explain the different optimal levels of One curve does not explain the different optimal levels of arousal needed for simple and complex tasks.arousal needed for simple and complex tasks.

Catastrophe ModelCatastrophe Model

• Hardy and Frazey (1987)Hardy and Frazey (1987)• Physiological arousal is Physiological arousal is

related to performance in an related to performance in an inverted ‘U’ fashion when the inverted ‘U’ fashion when the athlete is not worried or has athlete is not worried or has low cognitive anxiety state low cognitive anxiety state anxiety. anxiety.

• If cognitive anxiety is high, If cognitive anxiety is high, the increases in arousal pass the increases in arousal pass a point of optimal arousal a point of optimal arousal and a rapid decline in and a rapid decline in performance occurs (the performance occurs (the catastrophe). catastrophe).

• It would be very difficult to It would be very difficult to recover from this point.recover from this point.