Year 10 Psychology – Arousal and Task Performance

1. What is the flight or fight response?

2. Akram was startled when an animal ran in front of his car as he was driving home from work at
night. He was able to brake suddenly and swerve so that he missed the animal. Describe the
physiological and psychological changes that would have happened to Akram as a result of his
heightened state of arousal

3. Describe the relationship between arousal and task performance.

4. What advice would you give the following people on how to manage their level of arousal for
optimal performance? Justify your responses.

a. A boxer
b. A student sitting an exam
c. A chess player

Source: Spencer, P. and Hartstone, M. (2007). Jacaranda Stage 2 Psychology for South Australia. 1st ed.
Milton: John Wiley and Sons Australia Ltd.