Yerkes And Dodson's Theory

“Arousal is a state of physiological and psychological alertness and anticipation that prepares an athlete for action.” (Barker, 2007, p. 311). Arousal can be interpreted as activation of the human body, and can further contribute to enhancing an athlete’s performance. However, when activations exceed maximum levels, it can further lead to anxiety (Hannibal, 127, p. ).

Graydon (2002) explained, “The best relationship between arousal and performance is best explained and most relevant by the Inverted U hypothesis suggested by Yerkes and Dodson” (p. 408). Yerkes and Dodson (1908) based their hypothesis on the idea that for every task we carry out, there is an optimal level of physiological arousal. When performing, this is when execution is

Yerkes and Dodson (1908) Inverted U Theory displays a curvilinear relationship between anxiety and performance. Characteristically, according to the Inverted U Theory Diagram, low anxiety levels that are closely linked to anxiousness and unhappiness, result in low performance, and it’s in the middle where the correlation between optimum anxiety and optimum performance can be found.(pg) In essence, the diagram contributes to the idea that if too little or too much arousal is present, an individual’s performance results in failure. In solution to this, a balance between the amount of arousal for optimal performance and functioning must be present for an athlete’s

Hanin’s theory of Individual Zone of Optimal Functioning takes side on criticizing the inverted u theory for not taking athletes’ individual factors into account (Stager, 2005). As mentioned previously, Yerkes and Dondson’s theory focused on the types of skills needed in a sport, and its influences on an athlete’s performance. Hanin argued that all athletes are individuals and have individualized zones of optimal functioning, therefore by only examining skills a sport demands for, isn’t valid enough to determine one’s optimal level of performance. (p. 109-110) In other words, Hanin takes on a more personal approach when discussing athletes’ performance. Hanin highlighted that each athlete has a special way of functioning, which is specialized to their own self – specific characteristics and traits play a vital role in how every and any athlete functions on a daily basis, and Yerkes and Dodson’s Inverted U hypothesis did not take this into