Yerkes-Dodson Law
Introduction
The Yerkes–Dodson law is an empirical relationship proposed by psychologists Robert M. Yerkes and John Dillingham Dodson in 1908. The law dictates the relationship between arousal, performance, and task complexity. According to the law, an organism's performance improves with physiological or mental arousal, but only up to a point. When levels of arousal become too high, performance decreases. This relationship is often graphically represented as an inverted U-shaped curve.
Historical Background
The Yerkes–Dodson law was developed through a series of experiments conducted by Robert Yerkes and John Dodson. The two psychologists were studying the effects of electrical shocks on mice's ability to learn a maze. Their findings suggested that a moderate level of electrical shock was most effective for learning, while too little or too much shock was detrimental. This led to the formulation of the Yerkes-Dodson Law, which has since been applied to a variety of fields, including psychology, sports science, and organizational behavior.
Theoretical Framework
The Yerkes–Dodson law can be understood within the broader framework of arousal theory, which posits that arousal is a major factor in regulating behavior. Arousal, in this context, refers to the physiological and psychological state of being awoken or alert. It is associated with specific physiological responses, such as increased heart rate and blood pressure, and is thought to be regulated by the reticular activating system in the brain.
The Law
The Yerkes–Dodson law posits that performance increases with physiological or mental arousal, but only up to a point. When arousal becomes too high, performance decreases. The exact shape of the curve can vary depending on the complexity and familiarity of the task.
For simple or well-learned tasks, the performance-arousal relationship may be relatively linear, with performance improving steadily as arousal increases. For complex, unfamiliar, or difficult tasks, however, the relationship may be more of an inverted U-shape, with performance peaking at moderate levels of arousal and declining at both lower and higher levels.
Applications
The Yerkes–Dodson law has been applied in a variety of fields. In sports science, for example, it is used to understand the relationship between arousal and athletic performance. According to the law, athletes perform best when they are moderately aroused – too little arousal can lead to lack of motivation, while too much can lead to stress and anxiety.
In organizational behavior, the law is used to optimize productivity in the workplace. According to the law, employees perform best when they are moderately aroused – too little arousal can lead to boredom and disengagement, while too much can lead to stress and burnout.
Criticisms and Limitations
While the Yerkes–Dodson law has been influential, it has also been subject to criticism. Some researchers argue that the law oversimplifies the relationship between arousal and performance. Others point out that the law does not account for individual differences in arousal thresholds and stress tolerance.
Moreover, the empirical support for the Yerkes–Dodson law is mixed. While some studies have found evidence consistent with the law, others have not. This has led some researchers to suggest that the relationship between arousal and performance may be more complex than the Yerkes–Dodson law suggests.
See Also
Stress Arousal Performance psychology