What does the Yerkes-Dodson Law suggest about performance in relation to arousal?

The Yerkes-Dodson Law posits that there is an optimal level of arousal that leads to the best performance on tasks, which is often represented as an inverted U-shaped curve. According to this principle, as arousal increases, so does performance, but only up to a certain point. Beyond that optimal point, performance tends to decline, especially for complex tasks that require higher levels of cognitive processing.

This means that moderate arousal is generally linked to optimal performance across various tasks, balancing excitement and focus without leading to stress or anxiety that could compromise performance. By recognizing this relationship, one can understand how too much arousal (like excessive anxiety) can hinder performance, particularly in more complex or difficult tasks, while too little arousal may lead to apathy or a lack of engagement. Thus, moderate arousal facilitates the ideal state for achieving peak performance levels.