Yerkes-Dodson Law

Definition

The Yerkes-Dodson law is a psychological principle that describes the relationship between arousal, or stress, and performance. It states that performance increases with physiological or mental arousal, but only up to a certain point, after which performance decreases as the level of arousal becomes too high.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Yerkes-Dodson law suggests that there is an optimal level of arousal or stress for peak performance, and that too little or too much arousal can be detrimental.
2. The relationship between arousal and performance is often depicted as an inverted U-shaped curve, with performance increasing as arousal rises, but then declining once arousal becomes excessive.
3. The optimal level of arousal or stress can vary depending on the complexity of the task, with simpler tasks requiring higher levels of arousal for peak performance.
4. Factors such as individual differences, task difficulty, and environmental conditions can influence the optimal level of arousal for a given situation.
5. The Yerkes-Dodson law has implications for understanding and managing work-related stress, as it suggests that moderate levels of stress can be beneficial for performance, but high levels of stress can be detrimental.

Review Questions

• Explain how the Yerkes-Dodson law relates to the concept of work-related stress.
  • The Yerkes-Dodson law suggests that moderate levels of work-related stress can actually enhance performance, as it helps to increase arousal and focus. However, if the level of stress becomes too high, it can lead to a decline in performance as the individual becomes overwhelmed and their cognitive resources are depleted. This highlights the importance of finding the right balance between challenge and support in the workplace, in order to maintain optimal levels of arousal and stress for peak performance.
• Describe how the complexity of a task can influence the optimal level of arousal or stress according to the Yerkes-Dodson law.
  • The Yerkes-Dodson law suggests that the optimal level of arousal or stress for peak performance can vary depending on the complexity of the task. For simpler tasks, a higher level of arousal or stress may be beneficial, as it can help to increase focus and attention. However, for more complex tasks, a lower level of arousal or stress may be optimal, as excessive arousal can interfere with the cognitive processes required for successful task completion. This highlights the importance of considering task complexity when designing strategies to manage work-related stress and optimize employee performance.
• Analyze how individual differences and environmental conditions can impact the application of the Yerkes-Dodson law in the context of work-related stress.
  • The Yerkes-Dodson law suggests that the optimal level of arousal or stress for peak performance can vary depending on individual differences and environmental conditions. For example, some individuals may be more sensitive to stress and require lower levels of arousal to maintain optimal performance, while others may thrive on higher levels of stress. Additionally, environmental factors such as workload, deadlines, and organizational culture can influence the level of stress experienced by employees, and the extent to which this stress impacts their performance. This highlights the importance of tailoring stress management strategies to the unique needs and circumstances of individual employees and organizations, in order to ensure that the level of arousal or stress is aligned with the Yerkes-Dodson law for optimal performance.

Related terms

Arousal: A state of physiological and psychological excitement that prepares the body for action.

Stress: A state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances.

Performance: The accomplishment of a given task measured against preset known standards of accuracy, completeness, cost, and speed.