Yerkes–Dodson law
The Yerkes–Dodson law is an
Levels of arousal
Researchers have found that different tasks require different levels of arousal for optimal performance. For example, difficult or intellectually demanding tasks may require a lower level of arousal (to facilitate concentration), whereas tasks demanding stamina or persistence may be performed better with higher levels of arousal (to increase motivation).
Because of task differences, the shape of the curve can be highly variable.[3] For simple or well-learned tasks, the relationship is monotonic, and performance improves as arousal increases. For complex, unfamiliar, or difficult tasks, the relationship between arousal and performance reverses after a point, and performance thereafter declines as arousal increases.
The effect of task difficulty led to the hypothesis that the Yerkes–Dodson Law can be decomposed into two distinct factors as in a
There has been research indicating that the correlation suggested by Yerkes and Dodson exists (such as that of Broadhurst (1959),[4] Duffy (1957),[5] and Anderson et al (1988)[6]), but a cause of the correlation has not yet successfully been established (Anderson, Revelle, & Lynch, 1989).[7]
Alternative models
Other theories and models of arousal do not affirm the Hebb or Yerkes-Dodson curve. The widely supported theory of optimal flow presents a less simplistic understanding of arousal and skill-level match. Reversal theory actively opposes the Yerkes-Dodson law by demonstrating how the psyche operates on the principle bistability rather than homeostasis.
Relationship to glucocorticoids
A 2007 review by Lupien at al
This review also revealed that in order for a situation to induce a stress response, it has to be interpreted as one or more of the following:
- novel
- unpredictable
- not controllable by the individual
- a social evaluative threat (negative social evaluation possibly leading to social rejection).
It has also been shown that elevated levels of glucocorticoids enhance memory for emotionally arousing events but lead more often than not to poor memory for material unrelated to the source of stress/emotional arousal.[8]
See also
- Drive theory
- Emotion
- Emotion and memory
- Flashbulb memory
- Low arousal theory
References
External links
- Media related to Yerkes–Dodson law at Wikimedia Commons