1. Psychological factors affecting performance
Sports Psychology
Individual Differences - Arousal

2. Learning Objectives Learning Objective:
Understand how Arousal affects performance
Learning Outcomes:
All: Describe the theories of arousal
Most: Explain how arousal affects performance using the theories of arousal
Some: Evaluate the theories of arousal as predictors of performance

3. Key Terms Arousal Drive Theory Inverted U theory Catastrophe theory
Zone of Optimal Functioning

4. Key Terms Arousal – your level of excitement and readiness to perform.
Drive Theory -
Inverted U theory -
Catastrophe theory -
Zone of Optimal Functioning -

5. Drive Theory (Hull)
Reading -

6. Drive Theory revised (Spence and Spence)
When arousal is evident the Dominant Response-behaviour is most likely to emerge.
The quality of performance depends on how well the skill has been learned.
The dominant response is the motor programme that is already learned and will usually become evident when arousal is raised.
The novice performer, one at the cognitive or associative phase of learning should not be subjected to conditions that would evoke high arousal because at this level the dominant behaviour is likely to produce an ill timed and mistake-ridden performance.
High arousal would be beneficial to the expert performer. One at the autonomous stage of learning, because their dominant behaviour would tend to produce a response which is fluent and technically correct.

7. Inverted U theory
Indicates or predicts that as arousal increase so does the quality of performance. However, quality improves up to a point, midway on the axis. This is called the optimum point or the threshold of arousal.
It predicts that the best performance occurs at moderate levels of arousal.
If arousal occurs beyond the optimum point the performer becomes over-aroused and the capacity both to learn or perform a motor skill are deteriorated.

8. Point BB
Inverted U theory
Point
A A
Point
C t C

9. state what you think will happen at point:B C
Explain reasons why this may happen and the impact on the performance.

10. Point A Under arousal
If concentration is limited the attention wanders to usually unwanted cues as the performer is under aroused. The player may appear to be daydreaming.
In these circumstances the process of selective attention cannot operate. Information overload will then prevent accurate decision making.
What would make you under aroused?
Playing at a lower level

11. Point B Optimum arousal
This is considered the perfect state in which the potential performance is maximised. The attention field adjusts to the ideal width and as a result the learner or performer is able to concentrate.
As concentration is high, means important information can be absorbed and accurate decision can be made.
It is a product of selective attention and taking on board the most important information at the optimum point of arousal is called the Cue utilisation Hypothesis.
It is a product of selective attention and taking on board the most important information at the optimum point of arousal is called the Cue utilisation Hypothesis.

12. Point C
Over arousal causes the field of attention to narrow excessively. This may mean that the environmental cues may be missed. The performer is often in a state of near panic. This level of nervousness is called hyper vigilance.
The performer selective attention cannot operate and the capacity for concentration is seriously impeded.
Blind panic
What would make you over aroused?
Anxiety, noise from the crowd, pressure of the event. Level of experience

13. Inverted U theory

14. CatastropheTheory
Use this graph to explain what the catastrophe theory suggests about the link between arousal and performance

15. Zone of Optimal Functioning
Describe the Zone of Optimal Functioning theory and the relationship between arousal and performance

16. Exam Questions June 2014 paper 1 – qu 2e (10)
Jan 2012 paper 1 qu 2c (6)
Jan 2011 paper 2 – qu 3b (5)
Jan 2010 paper 2 – qu 3a (4)
Arousal is often linked to performance. Critically evaluate the Drive theory, Inverted U theory and Catastrophe theory
The relationship between motivation and arousal is central to Catastrophe theory. Explain Catastrophe Theory when applied to the performance of movement skills.
Having the right level of arousal can be important for performing well in sport. Explain what is meant by cue utilisation and how it links with levels of arousal.
Performers in sport who are doing well in competition are often described as being ‘in the zone’. Explain what is mean by the zone of optimum functioning.

17. Exam Questions
June b – The control of emotions and ‘getting in the zone’ can affect sports performance. Using practical examples, describe the peak flow experience associated with the zone of optimal functioning in sport (5)