How do arousal, anxiety and stress affect sporting performance?
The theories of the arousal-performance relationship (drive, inverted U, catastrophe, zone of optimal functioning), the types of anxiety, and the stress management techniques that control them.
A focused answer to OCR A-Level PE on arousal, anxiety and stress: drive theory, the inverted U hypothesis, catastrophe theory and the zone of optimal functioning, the somatic and cognitive types of anxiety, and the cognitive and somatic stress management techniques used to control arousal.
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What this dot point is asking
OCR wants you to explain the theories of the arousal-performance relationship, describe the types of anxiety, and explain the cognitive and somatic stress management techniques that control arousal and anxiety.
Arousal and the drive theory
The inverted U hypothesis
Catastrophe theory and the zone of optimal functioning
Types of anxiety
Stress management techniques
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of OCR exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
OCR 20184 marksExplain the inverted U hypothesis and how the optimum level of arousal differs between a darts player and a rugby forward.Show worked answer →
A Component 02 Section B application question. Marks for the hypothesis and the application to the two performers.
Award marks for: the inverted U hypothesis (Yerkes and Dodson) states that performance improves as arousal rises up to an optimal point (moderate arousal), after which further arousal causes performance to decline, so the graph is an inverted U. The optimum level depends on the task: fine, complex skills needing precise control (a darts throw or a snooker shot) have a low optimum, because high arousal causes muscle tension and a loss of fine control; gross, simple skills needing power (a rugby forward driving in a scrum) have a high optimum, because they tolerate and benefit from high arousal. So the darts player performs best at lower arousal than the rugby forward.
Markers reward the inverted U shape and the link between the optimum arousal level and whether the skill is fine and complex or gross and simple.
OCR 20218 marksAnalyse catastrophe theory and evaluate the stress management techniques a performer could use to avoid a catastrophe in a high-pressure final.Show worked answer →
A Component 02 extended-response (levels of response) question. Markers reward accurate theory (AO1), application (AO2) and a reasoned evaluation of techniques (AO3).
Award credit for: catastrophe theory says that, unlike the smooth inverted U, performance can decline dramatically and suddenly when high cognitive anxiety is combined with high physiological arousal, beyond the optimal point; recovery is not simply achieved by reducing arousal a little, because the performer has dropped off the back of the curve. To avoid a catastrophe a performer manages both cognitive and somatic anxiety: cognitive techniques (positive self-talk, mental rehearsal and imagery, thought stopping, rational thinking, goal setting) control the worry, while somatic techniques (progressive muscular relaxation, breathing control, biofeedback) control the physiological arousal. A reasoned answer judges that, because a catastrophe needs both high cognitive anxiety and high arousal, the most effective approach combines a cognitive and a somatic technique, and that prevention (a pre-performance routine) is better than trying to recover mid-performance.
A top answer explains the sudden drop in catastrophe theory and weighs cognitive against somatic techniques, reaching a judgement.
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Sources & how we know this
- OCR A Level Physical Education (H555) specification — OCR (2016)