Arousal in Performance

Student Name

Abstract

Introduction

Arousal is a result of both psychological and physiological processes within an individual. It influences the motivation of the individual and hence performance of duties by the individual. It may arise from fear or joy associated with a particular activity. Activation theory suggests that arousal level is proportional to the level of arousal up to the optimum level. Beyond the optimum point, the performance degrades in what is represented as the “inverted U.” Theorists believe that the downward slope result from mistakes at work due to overconfidence. To obtain more extended periods of highest performance, an individual has to maintain the optimum activation.

Low arousal in often leads to underperformance. An individual not well activated are less equipped to handle tough situations in the course of work. They are not likely to bear enough when the magnitude of tasks is excellent. Experts recommend only a certain level of arousal for maximum efficiency. A rise in arousal leads to an increase in output, thus increased performance. Individual output depends on his or her willingness to perform the task and the capacity to di it in the most efficient way. The maximum level of arousal, which leads to maximum performance, refers to the optimum level. Further increase in arousal causes a degenerative effect on the output of an individual. Any point beyond the optimum level often exposes the performer to mistakes. Causes of these errors include overconfidence, loss of focus, and excessive use of force leading to breakages, abuse of resources, impaired decisions, and lack of coordination, among others. It is essential, therefore, to keep the level of arousal in check.

This work focuses on the psychological and physiological factors that influence the performance of an individual. Firms expect workers to produce maximum output in the most efficient and effective ways. Performance depends on the skills, knowledge, experience and resources at the disposal of the employee. They have to carry out tasks with the least errors, tackle large and more robust tasks, maintain competence and be dynamic enough to match both the internal and external environment. For these reasons, this study seeks to affirm the need for arousal in performance.

 Review of Literature

When an individual puts into play his or her skills with limited errors, he or she can produce high quantity and quality outputs. The individual can combine the set of skills, resources and motivation to yield expected results. The worker remains focused despite external distractions and still maintains the morale until they finish the task. The process begins from preparations before to review after the job. Before the work, performers have to ensure they have the right set of skills, resources, strategies, guidelines and most importantly is the goals.

Purpose of the Study

Hypothesis

This study focuses on three premises: first that an individual with a low arousal level underperforms and may not be well suited for highly demanding and challenging tasks. The study also believes that performance increases with arousal up to the highest achievement attainable. Thirdly, if the arousal increases beyond the optimum level, individual performance reduces.

Dependent and Independent Variables

Performance is the dependent variable, while arousal is the independent variable. A deviation in the level of activation results in a proportional variance in the level of performance. Arousal is one of the factors that influence performance. Therefore in an equation of y= mx+c, (y) represents performance while (x) represents arousal.

Methods

Participants

Sixty employees engaged in the three-month study, of whom 31 were male, and 29 were female. Twenty-eight participants, with 57 per cent males, took part in the test within the allocated time. All the participants were adequately prepared to engage in the study.

Procedures

Each of the participants had to attend to the laboratory at least twice a day. The first visit took thirty minutes in which saliva samples the instructor took saliva samples for testing the influence of physiological makeup on arousal. The ne day visit would be the following day, which lasted two and a half hours. The researcher instructed participants to avoid stimulants and excessive physical exercises two hours before the test. Researchers then gave them room to prepare for the actual test. The researchers gave participants different instructions. To the first group (appraisal), “The goal of the research was to examine how physiological arousal during a test correlates with performance…” To the second group (reappraisal), “People that feel anxious while taking a standardized test will make them do poorly on the test. However, research says arousal does not hurt performance on the tests and can even help performance…” Researchers took more samples of saliva and issued practical issues, which they worked out. The researchers monitored the participants for up to three months.

Results

Scientists looked for discourse in the manipulated conditions in which, there was no discourse. They analyzed the two groups. The second group performed better in the practical test. They also depicted an increased level of arousal. According to the subjective analysis, the reappraisal group scored higher. Generally, participants with the most significant reappraisal reactivity level had a higher level of arousal, thus higher scores.