Inverted-U theory
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain and interpret the inverted-U theory of arousal and its impact on performance, including drawing and labelling a graph.
Key learning points
- The inverted-U theory illustrates that performance improves with arousal up to an optimal point and then declines.
- The inverted-U graph shows performance on the y-axis, arousal on the x-axis, with a curve shaped like an upside down U.
- Optimal performance occurs at a moderate level of arousal. Arousal levels too high or too low can impair performance.
- Optimal arousal levels differ according to whether the skill being performed is gross or fine.
Keywords
Arousal - a physical (physiological) and mental (psychological) state of alertness/readiness, varying from deep sleep to intense excitement/alertness
Optimal arousal - the arousal level required for peak performance
Inverted-U theory - a theory which relates levels of arousal with performance in sport
Common misconception
The more arousal you have, the better you perform.
The inverted-U theory recognises that after an optimal level of arousal, performance will deteriorate with any further heightening of arousal levels.
Teacher tip
This is a great topic to relate to personal experiences. Ask students to share stories of when they have performed their sport under low, optimal or over aroused states and how it impacted their performance.
Equipment
Graph paper to draw inverted-U graphs
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Put these statements in order, in terms of how alert the person is, starting with the lowest level of alertness first.
Q2.Which of these is most likely to get someone very excited or anxious?
Q3.Which of these needs the most energy and effort to perform it successfully?
Q4.Which of these describes someone who is 'in the zone'.
Q5.Match the emotion to the most likely effect on sports performance.
makes it harder to focus
helps you to keep calm
make good decisions
become disinterested
Q6.Which of these do you think the word inverted means?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.This inverted-U graph highlights the area known as what?
Q2.Which of the following best describes the effect of under arousal on performance?
Q3.Match the level of arousal to the performance outcome.
optimal performance, alert and focused
decreased performance due to lack of energy
decreased performance due to anxiety and stress
Q4.Put these statements in the correct order as the inverted-U moves from left to right.
Q5.Unsporting behaviour is most likely to occur in which level of arousal?
Q6.Different skills require different optimal levels of arousal. From lowest to highest, put these skills in order of optimal arousal level.
To help you plan your 11 physical education lesson on: Inverted-U theory, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 physical education lesson on: Inverted-U theory, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 physical education lessons from the Sports psychology: mental preparation for performance unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.