We’re sorry, something doesn't seem to be working properly.
Please try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, please contact support so we can address the problem.
Synonyms
Definition
This law states that a relationship between arousal and behavioral task performance exists, such that there is an optimal level of arousal for an optimal performance. Over- or under-arousal reduces task performance.
Historical Background
Yerkes and Dodson (1908) formulated their law to account for variance in habit formation based on the strength of stimuli used in conditioning paradigms. When stimuli were either too intense or lacked intensity, there was a drop in performance. This is characterized by inverted-U-shaped function, as shown here. Stimulus intensity was hypothesized to be a primary determinant of arousal, which was considered as the basis for this effect. Easterbrooke (1959) applied these principles to hypothesize that an increase in arousal leads to a decrease in the number of cues that can be utilized (cue-utilization hypothesis).
Current Knowledge
The inverted-U-shaped function between arousal and performance characterized by Yerkes and Dodson is very robust, such that in the behavioral sciences it is now considered as a law. The limitations of this function primarily are the by-product of ambiguity or disagreement over what constitutes arousal. Yet, there are numerous examples across various manifestations of arousal. For example, this principle is obvious when the relationship between the level of arousal and attentional performance is considered for the level of consciousness. People who are in a coma or deep sleep have limited responsiveness and are inattentive. Conversely, the agitation and hyperactivity that is often seen in cases of delirium also results in severe attentional impairments. When considered relative to anxiety, a similar relationship holds. A mild level of anxiety, which tends to be associated with a moderate level of arousal and motivation, usually does not hamper attentional performance, and often enhances it. However, as anxiety becomes excessive, the performance decreases. On the other hand, a complete lack of anxiety to the point of apathy tends to be associated with poor performance as well. This general relationship also holds for a variety of neurophysiological effects on attention, such as the effects of stimulant or sedative drugs.
A large research literature exists showing the performance differences as a function of levels of consciousness and arousal, and how these levels are associated with specific electroencephalography (EEG) bandwidths and other neurophysiological indices. There is also compelling evidence that the relationship between arousal and performance is strongly influenced by incentive, intrinsic motivation, task salience, and cognitive demand. Animals with very low and very high levels of cortisol, a stress response marker, show poorer learning and diminished survival when compared with animals with moderate cortisol levels, suggesting that the Yerkes–Dodson law has adaptive value.
Cross References
References and Readings
Easterbrook, J. A. (1959). The effect of emotion on cue utilization and the organization of behavior. Psychological Review, 66(3), 183–201.
Mateo, J. M. (2007). Inverted-U shape relationship between cortisol and learning in ground squirrels. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (online), Dec 27, 89, 582–590.
Yerkes, R. M. & Dodson, J. D. (1908). The relationship of strength of stimulus to rapidity of habit formation. Journal of Comparative Neurology and Psychology, 18, 459–482.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
About this entry
Cite this entry
Cohen, R.A. (2011). Yerkes–Dodson Law. In: Kreutzer, J.S., DeLuca, J., Caplan, B. (eds) Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79948-3_1340
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79948-3_1340
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-0-387-79947-6
Online ISBN: 978-0-387-79948-3
eBook Packages: Behavioral Science