Activation level

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Activation levels are general nervous excitation states of the organism. An extremely low level corresponds to unconsciousness , a very high level to panic . In-between states are deep sleep , drowsiness , relaxed and full wakefulness and tension.

As H. Bartenwerfer demonstrated, the subjective assessments of the activation level can be carried out on a high measurement level (ratio scale).

DE Berlyne showed that people tend to reach or stop a medium level of activity. At a low level they tend to feel bored and at a higher level tense, " stressed ".

For the theories of feeling , the level of activation is also of particular importance. Most pediatricians and child psychologists assume that in the first few days after the birth the baby does not experience any content-related feelings such as displeasure or joy, but only different levels of activation. In the two-component theory of feelings presented by Schachter & Singer, the level of activation corresponds to the quantitative component, which determines the strength of the feelings. As a qualitative component, there are content-related feelings, such as B. as positive emotion joy and as negative feelings sadness, anger, disgust etc.

According to the activation model , the activation level has an inverse-U-shaped relationship with the characteristics of the physical and mental performance: They are highest at the medium activation level. That is why it is called the "optimal level of activation".

Mental activation training (= MAT), which is intended to promote mental performance, is based on the concept of bringing a person from the state of a low activation level to the one of the optimal activation level. This increases the mental performance. Studies on schoolchildren, trainees, professionals and senior citizens confirm the success across all ages.

At the Gesellschaft für Gehirntraining eV (GfG), MAT forms the core of the recommended measures to promote mental performance and psychological stability.

See also

• Arousal - degree of activation of the central nervous system in humans and vertebrates.

literature

• H. Bartenwerfer: Some practical consequences from the activation theory. In: Z. exp. Applied Psychol. 16, 1969, pp. 195-222.
• DE Berlyne: Arousal and reinforcement. In: D. Levine (Ed.): Nebraska Symposium of Motivation. 1967.
• M. Haider: Electrophysiological indicators of activation. In: W. Schönpflug (Ed.): Methods of activation research. Stuttgart, Huber 1969.
• S. Schachter, J. Singer: Cognitive, social and physiological determinants of emotional state. In: Psychol. Rev. 69, 1962, pp. 379-407.
• K. Drauschke among other things: Top performance at high schools. In: Mentally Fit. 21, 2011, pp. 12-15.
• S. Lehrl, V. von den Driesch: More performance and higher self-confidence - results of a study on the program “Mentally active work at work” among employed people from 40. In: Mentally fit. 20, 2010, pp. 12-15.