Researchers Robert Yerkes (pronounced “Yerk-EES”) and John Dodson discovered that the optimal arousal level depends on the complexity and difficulty of the task to be performed (Figure 4).
Who is the theorist of arousal theory?
Researchers Robert Yerkes and John Dodson studied the relationship between the level of arousal and performance in a task, and their finding is known as the Yerkes-Dodson Law. The Yerkes-Dodson Law states that for easy tasks, the higher the level of physiological or mental arousal, the higher the performance.
Who is the father of arousal theory?
William James (1842–1910) was an important contributor to early research into motivation, and he is often referred to as the father of psychology in the United States. James theorized that behavior was driven by a number of instincts, which aid survival.
When was the arousal theory of motivation created?
In 1908 , psychologists Robert M. Yerkes and John Dillingham Dodson investigated the relationship between people’s arousal levels and their performance in various tasks.
What is the theory of optimal arousal?
The arousal theory of motivation suggests that people are driven to perform actions in order to maintain an optimum level of physiological arousal. ... Other people may do better with much lower arousal levels, so they might feel compelled to seek out soothing and relaxing activities.
What are the three theories of arousal?
There are three theories of arousal, these are: drive, inverted U, catastrophe . Each theory explains different ways arousal affects performance.
How do I calm down my arousal?
- Here are two ways to reduce emotional arousal:
- Meditation. According to research, meditation may be one of the most effective means for decreasing anxiety, panic, and persistent anger. ...
- Progressive muscle relaxation.
What is arousal state?
Affect arousal describes the state of feeling awake, activated, and highly reactive to stimuli . There are both psychological and physiological components to the state of arousal. Psychologically, the state of arousal is associated with the subjective experience of feelings including high energy and tension.
Is the Yerkes-Dodson Law Real?
The theory has been around since 1908, when psychologists Robert Yerkes and John Dillingham Dodson performed experiments on mice. Even though Yerkes-Dodson is called a law, it’s not a scientific law as much as a psychological concept.
What do humans do instinctively?
Examples of instinctive behaviors in humans include many of the primitive reflexes , such as rooting and suckling, behaviors which are present in mammals.
What is emotional arousal?
Emotional Arousal is a state of heightened physiological activity . This includes having strong emotions like anger and fear and we go to the emotional arousal state in response to our daily experiences. For example the fight, flight or freeze response is a state of emotional arousal.
How can I reach optimal arousal?
Getting up and moving, listening to high-energy music, and engaging in thinking and self-talk which you find energizing should help you increase your arousal so that it moves toward your optimal level.
How do arousal levels affect performance?
As arousal increases so does the level of performance, but only until a certain point which is usually around moderate arousal levels. Once past a moderate arousal level performance decreases. This is due to participants in sport becoming anxious if they are over aroused and there performance suffers as a consequence.
What is the Yerkes Dodson Law of arousal?
According to what is known as “The Yerkes-Dodson law,” performance increases with physiological or mental arousal (stress) but only up to a point . When the level of stress becomes too high, performance decreases. There’s more: The shape of the curve varies based on the complexity and familiarity of the task.
What is arousal level?
The level of mental arousal is the level of excitement, anticipation, stress, aggression, apprehension and nervousness. It refers to the state of mental preparedness for participation in an activity .
What is sympathetic arousal?
Sympathetic arousal (i.e., activation of the sympathetic nervous system) is associated with the so-called fight-or-flight response , as the body anticipates and prepares for action, either mental or physical (Hanoch and Vitouch, 2004, Poh et al., 2010).
