🧠ap psychology review

Yerkes-Dodson’s model

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examWritten by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

Yerkes-Dodson’s model is a psychological concept that suggests that performance on tasks is best when arousal levels are moderate. It proposes an inverted-U relationship between arousal and performance, indicating that as arousal increases, so does performance up to a certain point, after which further increases in arousal lead to a decline in performance.

Pep mascot

"Yerkes-Dodson’s model" also found in: