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Date May 2019 Marks available 2 Reference code 19M.3.SL.tz0.7
Level Standard Level Paper Paper 3 Time zone time zone 0
Command term Describe Question number 7 Adapted from N/A

Question

Describe the relationship between arousal and sporting performance for a weightlifter according to the inverted-U hypothesis.

[2]
a.

Discuss the effect of specific positive and negative emotions on a cyclist’s performance during an endurance race.

[3]
b.

Markscheme

the optimum level of arousal for the weightlifter will tend to be high
OR
initially as arousal increases performance increases «to an optimum level» ✔

above this level of arousal their performance will tend to deteriorate again ✔

there will be individual differences in optimal arousal ✔

a weightlifter feeling under aroused will tend to perform poorly ✔

 

Award [1 max] for labelled graph

[2 max]

a.

Positive emotions:

excitement masks pain / fatigue / stimulates adrenalin ✔

relief could calm the nerves and increase confidence ✔

joy creates a positive mindset and makes it more likely that they will be optimally aroused ✔

pride will improve motivation and striving to achieve ✔

Negative emotions:

anger may mean that the athlete has tunnel vision and miss key cues ✔

guilt may mean an athlete does not push themselves and they withdraw in the game ✔

fear may mean they may avoid situations and try to avoid contact with others ✔

anxiety may mean they are distracted by their own thoughts and miss cues ✔

boredom may mean that cues are missed due to arousal being low ✔

Award [2 max] for positive or negative.

[3 max]

b.

Examiners report

Students did well with this question. A large number of students did not directly link the question to weightlifting.

a.

This was a difficult question for many students. Many students had difficulty linking specific emotions to the effect on performance. In most cases where links were provided, they were overly general.

b.

Syllabus sections

Option B: Psychology of sports » B.3. Mental preparation for sports » B.3.2. Describe the theoretical approaches to arousal.
Option B: Psychology of sports » B.3. Mental preparation for sports
Option B: Psychology of sports

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