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Individual differences (arousal and anxiety) GapFill

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Arousal can be defined as a heightened state of extrinsicpsychologicalintrinsicphysiological readiness. A number of theories have attempted to explain the close relationship between levels of arousal and performance.

Inverted-USocialDriveInteractionist theory suggests that as arousal increases, there is a proportional increase in performance. This brings about the performer's response, which is their natural reaction based on a combination of skill level, personality and environment. However, a failure to explain over-arousal leads to the accusation that this theory is over-simplistic.

DriveInverted-UAggressive-cueInstinct theory also suggests that performance increases alongside arousal, but differs by indicating an optimal arousal level, at which point performance is also at its optimal level. If arousal continues to rise beyond this point, performance will decrease proportionally. The optimum level of arousal and performance is known as the (ZOPF), and is highly individualised among athletes and their situations. For one instance, it can be dependent on the ability and the experience level of an athlete. For example, a novice performer will experience a level of arousal compared to a more experienced athlete. Similarly, a high-pressure situation such as a penalty shootout in football will require a level of arousal for the ZOPF relative to a low-pressure situation such as taking a corner. However, this theory is limited in that it views arousal as uni-dimensional, ignoring the different effects that somatic and cognitive anxiety can have on performance.

Catastrophe theory - The final theory examining the effects of arousal is similar to the previous two in that it suggests that as arousal increases, so does the level of performance up to the ZOPF. However, any further increases in arousal have a catastrophic effect on performance due to high . When this is the case, the performer can salvage performance levels by reducing their arousal levels, thus anxiety. An example of this theory in practice was Jean van de Velde's catastrophe at the 1999 British Open. Being in the ZOPF up until the 18th tee, his proportionally high performance levels had him leading the way. Perhaps as he was one hole away from winning, the added pressure might have pushed his arousal levels and cognitive anxiety beyond the limit, resulting in a wayward second shot which landed in the deep rough behind a stream. When he attempted to hit the ball onto the green from the rough, the thick grass caught his club and the ball landed in the stream. His game was unravelling and the drop in his performance levels was probably accompanied by symptoms of somatic anxiety. He took his shoes and socks off, as his total loss of due to cognitive anxiety had him contemplating whether to play the ball from the water as it floated idly on the surface. After lowering his arousal levels and returning to rational thoughts, he threw the ball to his caddie and climbed back out. Reducing his cognitive anxiety, he retained focus and returned to the ZOPF, managing to hole two shots later and book his place in the play-off.

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Pass Mark

72%