Theories of Description

arousal and
performanc
e
Drive - Previously thought that arousal and performance followed a linear progression
theory - Hull proposed that as arousal or state anxiety increases, so too does
(Hull) performance
- Factors that affect levels of arousal
o Skill level
▪ Increased skill level can increase latitude of optimal arousal
▪ Optimal arousal point is lower for less skilled athletes than for
more advanced players
▪ Coaches should lower arousal and decrease decision-making
responsibilities of developing athletes
o Task complexity
▪ Refers to complexity in decision-making, not biomechanically
▪ Simple or well-learned skills (e.g. long distance running) less
affected by high degrees of arousal. Benefit from higher
degrees of arousal
▪ Vice versa for skills that take conscious decision-making effort
(e.g. goalie in soccer). Arousal should be kept relatively low
Inverted-U - States that arousal facilitates performance up until an optimal point, beyond
theory which performance can suffer
(Yerkes and - Various modifications based on influences of skill, ability, experience, task
Dodson) complexity, etc.
Individual - Different people, in different types of performances, perform best with
zones of different levels of arousal
optimal - Differs from inverted-U in several ways:
functioning o Ideal performance not always at midpoint of arousal continuum
theory o Optimal performance can occur within a small range or arousal level
(Hanin) - Both positive and negative emotions can enhance performance
- Recognizes that specific emotions can be positively perceived by one athlete
and negatively perceived by another
Catastrophe - Proposes that somatic arousal has a curvilinear, inverted-U relationship to
theory athletic performance whereas cognitive anxiety shows a steady negative
(Hardy) relationship to performance
- When physiological arousal occurs in presence of cognitive anxiety, there is a
sudden drop in performance
Reversal - Effects of arousal and anxiety on performance depends on individual’s
Theory interpretation of that arousal
(Kerr) - Athletes have the ability to reverse their interpretation of their own arousal
(e.g. changing mindset of high arousal from scary and worrisome to
excitement and anticipation)
- Effects of arousal and anxiety within the control of the individual