Did you know that a certain level of arousal can increase your performance and efficiency? Although it may seem absurd, when you experience a certain level of stress, your body reacts to the stimulus and can respond better in some tasks. This process is known as the Yerkes-Dodson law or the inverted U theory.
This law, developed by American psychologists John Dillingham Dodson and Robert Yerkes in 1908, served to determine that when faced with some physical and psychological stimuli, people become more motivated and remain more alert. Of course, when the level of the stimulus exceeds a certain threshold, the effect will be quite the opposite. In this Psychology-online article you will find what is the Yerkes-Dodson law in psychology and examples of this postulate that perhaps you live every day in different areas of your life and you have not even noticed it.
What is the Yerkes-Dodson law or inverted U theory
The Yerkes-Dodson law is a theory that relates effectiveness to the individual’s level of stress or anxiety. It was postulated in 1908 and aims to explain why there are different performances according to the degrees of . This means that, The more motivated we are, the better results we will obtain. Therefore, this law is very important for achievements in some areas of life.
It was proposed as a result of the work carried out by Robert Yerkes and John Dillingham Dodson. These psychologists discovered that through small electrical impulses, the rats responded better to escape faster from the maze in which they were. However, when the impulses were very strong, the animals became uncontrolled and completely lost their way.
In fact, when people are faced with boring tasks and have a low level of motivation, it is very easy to lose interest and even abandon the activity. However, when that task becomes challenging and awakens our senses, we can focus more on finishing it. Of course, if the stimulus is overloaded, stress levels rise too high and we fall into a state of anxiety that limits the ability to pay attention and concentrate.
Why is this law known as the inverted U model?
The researchers who postulated the Yerkes-Dodson law propose that arousal levels rise, as if it were a bell. At the peak, there is the highest level of excitement that serves to focus and motivation.
At this stage, glucocorticoid hormones are triggered to stimulate physical and brain functions; what is called cortical activation.
From there, the individual must channel the stimulus so that the level drops and they can relax again. In this way, cognitive functions remain optimal and performance and results improve. without falling into anxiety and excessive worry.
Influential factors of the Yerkes-Dodson law
Basically, there are 4 factors that influence the Yerkes-Dodson law or inverted U theory, which we will analyze below:
- Skill levels: according to the level of skill that the subject handles, the intensity of the stimulus required to increase their performance can be determined.
- The difficulty of the tasks: the more challenging the activity, the greater the stimulus it triggers. Therefore, when faced with the most difficult tasks, it is advisable to be in relaxed environments. However, if the activity is monotonous and boring, internal or external stimulation is necessary to activate motivation.
- The level of anxiety: each person manages an anxiety trait that depends on their particular reality. Therefore, the individual’s level of composure in the face of demands varies depending on the confidence he or she has in his or her abilities and capabilities.
- Personality: each individual has a particular way of responding to stimuli and perceptions. That is, he has his own personality. Therefore, it cannot be said that this law influences each person equally. However, some researchers, such as Hans Eysenck, claim that those who have a more open and extroverted personality do not need as much stimulation as those who are more introverted.
In other words, the Yerkes-Dodson law or inverted U theory will influence in a particular way according to the reality of each individual and the task they face.
Examples of the Yerkes-Dodson law
One of the most everyday examples of the Yerkes-Dodson law is the anxiety experienced when faced with an academic evaluation. In this case, an optimal level of stress is needed so that performance is adequate and you can remember all the answers.
However, if you are too nervous, your ability to read and remember the content will most likely be limited. Coupled with that example, we can mention the following examples of the Yerkes-Dodson law that are lived continuously:
- A soccer player who has prepared for the competition and before entering the field feels motivation and enthusiasm for the plays.
- A student who will defend his/her final work degree to obtain an academic title you will be faced with a level of stress that will allow you to use your senses to the maximum to be alert.
- Sports athletes who experience a lot of excitement before each of their competitions.
In short, the Yerkes-Dodson law or inverted U theory can be applied in different areas of life, not only to increase performance, but also to recognize when it is necessary to stop and take a breath.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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Bibliography
- Diamond, D. (2007). The Temporal Dynamics Model of Emotional Memory Processing: A Synthesis of the Neurobiological Basis of Stress-Induced Amnesia, Flashbulb and Traumatic Memories, and the Yerkes-Dodson Law. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/np/2007/060803/
- Mayo Clinic Staff. (2019). Stress management. mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/basics/stress-basics/hlv-20049495
- Yerkes RM, et al. (1908). The relationship of the strength of the stimulus to the speed of habit formation. pdfs.semanticscholar.org/38f8/dfcd7fc00b0a0471560100bd121754e40839.pdf?_ga=2.124585610.1488427854.1603230035-1323165364.1602799451