Which theory explains rapid decline in performance when cognitive and somatic arousal are high?

• A. Catastrophe theory
• B. Inverted-U theory
• C. Drive theory
• D. Social-cognitive theory

Answer: (A)

Understanding how arousal influences performance involves looking at how physical arousal (somatic) and mental state (cognitive anxiety) interact under pressure. Catastrophe theory explains that for skilled performers, performance can rise with increasing arousal up to a point, but when cognitive anxiety becomes high while arousal is also high, there is a sudden, dramatic drop in performance. That sharp decline happens because the mind’s working memory and attention can become overwhelmed, causing “choking” under pressure even though the body is highly aroused. This explains the rapid deterioration when both cognitive and somatic arousal are elevated.

In contrast, the inverted-U model predicts a smoother, gradual fall after a peak, not an abrupt catastrophe. Drive theory suggests performance simply increases with arousal regardless of task type, which doesn’t fit a sudden drop. Social-cognitive theory focuses on beliefs, self-efficacy, and strategies rather than the immediate arousal-performance link under pressure.