Mental Preparation for Performance (AQA GCSE Physical Education (PE)): Flashcards
Exam code: 8582
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Define arousal.
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Cards in this collection (80)
Define arousal.
Arousal is a physical and mental state of excitement.
How does arousal vary along a continuum?
From deep sleep, which is low arousal, to intense excitement, which is high arousal.
Name two physical effects of high arousal.
Increased heart rate and sweating.
Which two aspects of a performer does arousal affect?
Their physical performance and their mental state.
Why do arousal levels need to be controlled?
To ensure that performance is not affected adversely — both under-arousal and over-arousal lower performance.
Arousal is a physical and mental state of ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿.
Arousal is a physical and mental state of excitement.
Give an example of a state of low arousal.
Deep sleep, at the very bottom of the arousal continuum.
What does a performer's mental state include?
Both the physiological and the psychological factors affecting that person.
True or False?
Arousal is a purely mental state.
False.
Arousal is a physical and mental state of excitement, with physical effects such as increased heart rate and sweating.
True or False?
The higher a performer's arousal, the better their performance will be.
False.
Arousal levels must be controlled. Being over-aroused lowers performance just as being under-aroused does.
What does the inverted-U theory show?
The relationship between arousal and performance.
What is plotted on each axis of an inverted-U graph?
The y axis shows performance level, low to high.
The x axis shows arousal level, low to high.
Describe the shape of the inverted-U graph.
Performance rises as arousal increases, peaks at the optimal arousal level, then falls as arousal increases further — forming an upside-down U.
What happens to performance as arousal increases towards the optimal level?
Performance level increases, up to the point of optimal performance.
What happens to performance above the optimal arousal level?
Performance levels decrease.
Define optimal arousal.
Optimal arousal is the arousal level at which a performer achieves their highest level of performance.
Why does under-arousal lead to low performance?
The performer may lack concentration or become bored.
Why does over-arousal lead to low performance?
The performer may experience high levels of stress or anxiety.
On an inverted-U graph, arousal level is plotted on the ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ axis.
On an inverted-U graph, arousal level is plotted on the x axis.
True or False?
According to inverted-U theory, performance keeps improving as arousal rises.
False.
Performance improves only up to the optimal arousal level. Beyond that point, further arousal causes performance to decrease.
True or False?
A performer who is under-aroused and one who is over-aroused can both perform poorly.
True.
Both under-arousal and over-arousal sit on the low parts of the inverted-U, producing low performance levels.
What level of arousal do fine skills require?
Low arousal, because they need accurate movement and precision.
What level of arousal do gross skills require?
High arousal, because they need high power and energy.
Give an example of a skill requiring low optimal arousal.
Aiming at the target in archery, which needs precision and accuracy.
Give an example of a skill requiring high optimal arousal.
Lifting weights, which needs high power and energy.
What level of arousal would a tackle in rugby require?
High arousal, because it is a gross skill requiring power and energy.
What level of arousal would a snooker shot require?
Low arousal, because it is a fine skill requiring precision and control.
Why does the optimal arousal level differ between activities?
Because different skills need different amounts of precision versus power, so their optimal arousal levels sit at different points.
Why must you refer to the skill rather than the sport when discussing optimal arousal?
A single sport contains different skills with different arousal needs. For example, a rugby tackle needs high arousal but a conversion kick needs low arousal.
Skills requiring accuracy and precision, such as a dart throw, need a ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ level of arousal.
Skills requiring accuracy and precision, such as a dart throw, need a low level of arousal.
True or False?
All skills have the same optimal arousal level.
False.
Optimal arousal differs between skills. Fine skills need low arousal, while gross, powerful skills need high arousal.
Name the three stress management techniques used to control arousal.
Deep breathing
Mental rehearsal/visualisation/imagery
Positive self-talk
When can stress management techniques be used?
Before or during a sporting performance.
How is deep breathing carried out?
The body is kept relaxed and still, the lungs are filled using a slow, controlled inhalation, then air is released with a controlled, slow exhale. This is repeated several times.
Why is deep breathing described as a somatic technique?
It is a physical body technique, rather than one that works on the mind.
Give a sporting example of deep breathing being used.
A footballer using deep breathing before taking a penalty to focus the mind and reach optimal arousal.
Define mental rehearsal.
Mental rehearsal involves a performer visualising themselves performing a skill perfectly before they attempt it.
Give a sporting example of mental rehearsal.
A basketball player visualising themselves shooting a free throw perfectly before taking it.
How do visualisation and imagery help control arousal?
The performer pictures themselves in a safe, calm place, which helps bring arousal down to optimal levels.
Define positive self-talk.
Positive self-talk is a mental technique in which performers talk to themselves, usually in their heads, using positive affirmations.
Give a sporting example of positive self-talk.
A snooker player telling themselves they "can make the shot" to lower arousal when feeling nervous or anxious.
Which of the three techniques are mental rather than physical?
Mental rehearsal/visualisation/imagery and positive self-talk. Deep breathing is a physical (somatic) technique.
Repeating affirmations such as "you can win this race" in your head is known as positive ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿.
Repeating affirmations such as "you can win this race" in your head is known as positive self-talk.
True or False?
Stress management techniques can only be used before a performance begins.
False.
They can be carried out before or during a sporting performance.
Define direct aggression.
Direct aggression involves deliberate physical contact between participants.
Define indirect aggression.
Indirect aggression does not involve physical contact. It is usually aimed at an object rather than a person.
Give two examples of direct aggression in sport.
A rugby tackle
A boxing punch
Give two examples of indirect aggression in sport.
A tennis player hitting the ball extremely hard towards their opponent during a rally
A volleyball player hitting the ball hard over the net towards their opponent
Why might a performer use indirect aggression?
To gain an advantage over an opponent by making them feel less confident or successful.
Is indirect aggression usually within the rules of a sport?
Yes. Because it is aimed at an object rather than a person, it is usually within the rules.
What is the key difference between direct and indirect aggression?
Direct aggression involves deliberate physical contact with an opponent. Indirect aggression does not.
Classify a football tackle and justify your choice.
Direct aggression, because it involves deliberate physical contact with another participant.
Aggression aimed at an object rather than at another player is known as ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ aggression.
Aggression aimed at an object rather than at another player is known as indirect aggression.
True or False?
A tennis player smashing the ball hard at their opponent is direct aggression.
False.
This is indirect aggression, because the aggression is aimed at the ball and there is no physical contact between the players.
Name the two personality types used in sports psychology.
Introvert and extrovert.
Name the characteristics of an introvert.
Shy/quiet
Thoughtful
Enjoy being on their own
May become over-aroused easily
Name the characteristics of an extrovert.
Enjoy interaction with others/sociable
Aroused by others
Enthusiastic/talkative
Prone to boredom when isolated
What type of sport do introverts tend to play?
Individual sports requiring concentration and precision (fine skills), where low arousal is needed.
Give three examples of sports that suit an introvert.
Darts, snooker and archery.
What type of sport do extroverts tend to play?
Team sports with a fast pace, where concentration may need to be low and gross skills are used.
Give three examples of sports that suit an extrovert.
Futsal, lacrosse and netball.
Why does archery suit an introvert?
It is an individual sport using a fine skill that needs precision and low arousal — matching an introvert's tendency to become over-aroused easily.
Why does netball suit an extrovert?
It is a fast-paced team sport using gross skills, and extroverts are aroused by others and enjoy social interaction.
Why is classifying performers by personality type useful?
It helps to understand their performance and which sports they would be suited to.
A performer who is sociable, talkative and prone to boredom when alone is likely to be an ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿.
A performer who is sociable, talkative and prone to boredom when alone is likely to be an extrovert.
True or False?
Introverts are best suited to fast-paced team sports.
False.
Introverts tend to suit individual sports needing concentration, precision and low arousal. Extroverts suit fast-paced team sports.
Define motivation.
Motivation is an internal state of mind that causes us to act towards success or achievement.
Define intrinsic motivation.
Intrinsic motivation comes from within — for pride, self-satisfaction or personal achievement.
Define extrinsic motivation.
Extrinsic motivation comes from another source or person, and can be tangible or intangible.
Give three examples of tangible extrinsic rewards.
Certificates, trophies and medals.
Give three examples of intangible extrinsic rewards.
Praise, feedback and applause or cheering.
Give an example of intrinsic motivation in sport.
A runner setting themselves a personal best to beat, motivated by the feeling of pride after achieving it.
Motivation that comes from within, for pride or personal achievement, is called ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ motivation.
Motivation that comes from within, for pride or personal achievement, is called intrinsic motivation.
Which type of motivation is generally deemed more effective?
Intrinsic motivation.
Why is intrinsic motivation considered more effective?
It is more likely to lead to continued effort and participation in the sport.
What happens when extrinsic motivation is overused?
It can undermine the strength of intrinsic motivation. Performers may forget why they started the sport and become distracted by rewards.
What is the risk of a performer becoming reliant on extrinsic motivation?
They may only take part if they are paid or receive recognition, rather than for the enjoyment of the sport itself.
Can extrinsic rewards produce intrinsic feelings?
Yes. Extrinsic rewards may result in feelings of pride and self-satisfaction.
Give an example of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation being used together.
A performer feeling pride in their achievement (intrinsic) after winning a trophy in their race (extrinsic).
True or False?
Extrinsic motivation is always more effective than intrinsic motivation.
False.
Intrinsic motivation is generally deemed more effective, as it is more likely to lead to continued effort and participation.
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