Yerkes-Dodson Law is an empirical relationship between performance and arousal, first proposed by psychologists Robert M. Yerkes and John Dillingham Dodson in 1908. The law states that performance increases with physiological or mental arousal, but only to a certain point. Beyond that point, the performance decreases as arousal increases (Yerkes & Dodson, 1908).
The law is based on the observation that performance on any task is improved when the individual is aroused, but it reaches a peak and then starts to decline. This is known as the inverted-U shape of the law, where the peak performance is achieved at an optimal level of arousal. The authors suggested that this was due to the increased focus and motivation that comes with arousal, but too much arousal can lead to distraction, fatigue and anxiety, which can lead to decreased performance (Yerkes & Dodson, 1908).
The Yerkes-Dodson Law has been widely studied and is still an important concept in psychology. It is used to explain a variety of phenomena, including performance in sports, academic achievement, and the effects of stress on performance. It has also been used to explain the effects of drugs on performance, such as the performance enhancing effects of stimulants and the impairing effects of depressants (Barbuto & Mathur, 2004; Yerkes & Dodson, 1908).
The Yerkes-Dodson Law is an important concept that can be used to understand and improve performance. It can help to identify the optimal level of arousal needed to maximize performance, and can also be used to understand the effects of drugs, stress, and fatigue on performance.
References
Barbuto, J. E., & Mathur, A. (2004). Yerkes-Dodson law: A century of research on the relationship between arousal and performance. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 5(6), 595-612.
Yerkes, R. M., & Dodson, J. D. (1908). The relation of strength of stimulus to rapidity of habit formation. Journal of Comparative Neurology and Psychology, 18, 459-482.