What is inverted U hypothesis?

The ‘inverted U’ theory proposes that sporting performance improves as arousal levels increase but that there is a threshold point. Any increase in arousal beyond the threshold point will worsen performance. At low arousal levels, performance quality is low.

What does the inverted U hypothesis tell us about the relationship between anxiety and performance?

The Inverted U Hypothesis suggests that optimal performance occurs at an intermediate level of arousal while both low and high levels of arousal will result in impaired performance. However, in general one could expect that athletes may perform badly because they are over- or under-aroused.

What the Yerkes-Dodson law says about stress and performance?

The Yerkes-Dodson law is a model of the relationship between stress and task performance. It proposes that you reach your peak level of performance with an intermediate level of stress, or arousal. Too little or too much arousal results in poorer performance. This is also known as the inverted-U model of arousal.

How does stress affect optimal arousal?

The Yerkes-Dodson law describes the empirical relationship between stress and performance. In particular, it posits that performance increases with physiological or mental arousal, but only up to a certain point. This is also known as the inverted-U model of arousal. When stress gets too high, performance decreases.

What is the inverted U and how is it linked to emotion?

The relationship between changes in arousal and motivation is often expressed as an inverted-U function (also known as the Yerkes-Dodson law). The basic concept is that, as arousal level increases, performance improves, but only to a point, beyond which increases in arousal lead…

What are the limitations of the inverted U theory?

Problems with inverted ‘U’ Theory Critics question if optimal arousal always occurs at the mid-point of the curve. One curve does not explain the different optimal levels of arousal needed for simple and complex tasks.

WHO states in their version that physiological arousal follows the inverted U hypothesis in relation to performance?

The history of theories and models which try to explain the relationship between performance and different influencing factors dates back to the time when Yerkes and Dodson first published their model of an inverted U-shaped relationship between arousal and performance [1].

What factors can explain an inverted U shape relationship between these variables?

The inverted-U shape can be explained by the effects of two separate factors: the upslope indicating the effect of arousal, and the downslope indicating the specific effects of arousal on cognitive processing.

What is Yerkes-Dodson law example?

For example, you might do better at an athletic event if you are excited about participating or do better on an exam if you are somewhat anxious about your score. In psychology, this relationship between arousal levels and performance is known as the Yerkes-Dodson Law.

What is the anxiety curve?

The anxiety curve model has been used by Buron and Curtis to visually illustrate the power of anxiety and its influence on student behavior. Box 1 is meant to identify typical anxiety producing triggers such as loud noises, illness, late bus, etc.

What is an example of arousal theory?

For example, if our levels drop too low we might seek stimulation by going out to a nightclub with friends. If these levels become too elevated and we become overstimulated, we might be motivated to select a relaxing activity such as going for a walk or taking a nap.

How does arousal 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.