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A basketball coach tries to get her team "up" for the game, but not too excited so that they commit costly fouls (penalties) which harm the team's performance. The coach is trying to maintain

a) High levels of motivation
b) Optimal arousal levels
c) A competitive spirit
d) Fear of failure

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The coach aims to maintain optimal arousal levels to ensure players are motivated and focused without being overstimulated, which mirrors the moderate arousal level recommended by Yerkes & Dodson's theory for peak performance.

Step-by-step explanation:

The basketball coach is employing Yerkes and Dodson's theory to optimize the team's performance by maintaining moderate arousal levels. According to this theory, peak performance occurs at moderate arousal, as extreme levels, either too high or too low, can impede optimal functioning. In the case of basketball, moderate arousal ensures players are sufficiently motivated and focused without succumbing to overstimulation, which may result in errors like unnecessary fouls.

The analogy extends to academic settings, such as students facing test anxiety. Here, high arousal levels, akin to excessive stress, can detrimentally impact concentration and overall performance. Yerkes and Dodson's model thus serves as a valuable framework for understanding the delicate balance required to achieve peak performance in various domains, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a moderate level of arousal to maximize both motivation and focus.

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