Arousal Theory

EPHE
575
Arousal Theory
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Motivation Theory
Definition of Arousal
Arousal: the activation of the brain and body; state of

readiness so that we are prepared to engage in
adaptive behaviors.
Two primary arousal systems:
– Cortical arousal system- arouses brain systems.
– Autonomic nervous system- arouses the body.
• These two systems often function independently.
• To conserve energy and reduce wear and tear on the
body, these systems are activated only when needed.
Cortical Arousal
• Activiation of higher order systems (CNS
structures) occurs during arousal
• Cerebral Cortex - conscious thought
processes; desynchronized, fast, low
amplitude EEG readings
• Hypothalamus - midbrain; electrical
stimulation can increase alertness/excitement
Autonomic Nervous System
• Primarily responsible for body changes with
arousal levels
• Sweating hands, increased HR, increased
respiration, release of glucose, catecholamine
release
• Works relatively quickly, while
parasympathetic n.s. works relatively slowly
Ascending Reticular
Activating System (ARAS)
• Closely associated with onset of arousal
• Organizes sensorimotor behavior
• Ascending axons of ARAS stimulate higher
brain center neurons
• Stimulation results in “awakened” EEG waves;
lesions result in somnolence
• Activiated in perceived threat situations
Arousal Theories
AROUSAL THEORIES: ONE
DRIVE THEORY
A theory of arousal that proposes a linear relationship between

arousal and performance; as arousal increases so does the
quality of performance.
Devised by Hull in (1943) and Spence & Spence (1966)
Is concerned with a proportional linear relationship between

arousal and performance.
DRIVE THEORY
Performance = Habit strength X
Drive
P = H D
The more an elite sports person

is aroused the better their
performance due to the
dominant response being
chosen is habitual.
The more a beginner sports

person is aroused the dominant
response may be incorrect and
high levels of arousal can cause
a deterioration in performance.
PROBLEMS WITH DRIVE THEORY
• The habitual behaviour/
dominant response is not
always the correct one
(think of beginners)
• By increasing drive
(arousal) performers often
resort to previously
learned skills because they
are dominant but may be
incorrect.
• Even highly skilled players

‘choke’ in highly charged
situations.
AROUSAL THEORIES: TWO
INVERTED U THEORY
A theory of arousal that considers that optimal performance

occurs when the performer reaches an optimal level of arousal.
Devised by Yerkes and Dodson (1908)
Is concerned with the optimal level of arousal being found

through observations of performance.
Most athletes and coaches can relate to this theory

INVERTED U THEORY
PROBLEMS WITH INVERTED U
THEORY
• Critics question if optimal arousal always occurs at the mid-
point of the curve.
• One curve does not explain the different optimal levels of

arousal needed for simple and complex tasks.
AROUSAL THEORIES: THREE
CATASTROPHE THEORY
A theory that predicts a rapid decline in performance resulting

from the combination of high cognitive anxiety and increasing
somatic anxiety.
Devised by Hardy and Frazey (1987)
Is a development of the Inverted U theory but involves a faster

and more dramatic reduction in performance.
CATASTROPHE THEORY
Point A
Cognitive anxiety is high.
Somatic anxiety is low.
Performance is enhanced.
Point B
Cognitive anxiety is high.
Somatic anxiety is high.
Performance can deteriorate.
Point D
Performance does not return to
original level immediately even
though performer is trying to
decrease arousal.
Point C
Performance still deteriorating.
CATASTROPHE THEORY
Physiological arousal is related to performance in an
inverted ‘U’ fashion when the athlete is not worried or has
low cognitive anxiety state anxiety.
If cognitive anxiety is high, the increases in arousal pass a point of optimal

arousal and a rapid decline in performance occurs (the catastrophe).
It would be very difficult to recover from this point.

AROUSAL THEORIES: FOUR
ZONE OF OPTIMAL FUNCTIONING
The theory predicts each individual athlete has their own optimal
inverted U curve.
Devised by Hanin (1980)
Is a development of the Inverted U theory but individualized.

Provide a sporting example for A and B
Zone of optimal functioning
PROBLEMS WITH AROUSAL AND
PERFORMANCE
At an athletes optimum level of arousal you have to ensure that
Attentional Narrowing is not a problem
Attentional Narrowing:
Focusing on too narrow a range of information or on the
performance of a skill; this causes the performer to ignore
important cues or information.
This occurs when a performer is so tightly focused on

performing the skill, or on a small part of the display (e.g.
the defender in front of them), that they do not attend to
other important aspects or they miss important cues (e.g.
team mates they could pass to).
Discussion
• Differences and similarities between
theories
Prove it review
Do you understand the following?
• drive, inverted U, catastrophe, and ZOF

theories
• practical applications and impact on
 performance 

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EPHE

Arousal: the activation of the brain and body; state of

A theory of arousal that proposes a linear relationship between

Devised by Hull in (1943) and Spence & Spence (1966)

Is concerned with a proportional linear relationship between

The more an elite sports person

The more a beginner sports

• Even highly skilled players

A theory of arousal that considers that optimal performance

Devised by Yerkes and Dodson (1908)

Is concerned with the optimal level of arousal being found

Most athletes and coaches can relate to this theory

• One curve does not explain the different optimal levels of

A theory that predicts a rapid decline in performance resulting

Devised by Hardy and Frazey (1987)

Is a development of the Inverted U theory but involves a faster

If cognitive anxiety is high, the increases in arousal pass a point of optimal

It would be very difficult to recover from this point.

Devised by Hanin (1980)

Is a development of the Inverted U theory but individualized.

This occurs when a performer is so tightly focused on

• drive, inverted U, catastrophe, and ZOF

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