The correlation between arousal and performance posits that performance increases with physiological or mental arousal, but only up to a point. When levels of arousal become too high, performance decreases. This principle, frequently encountered in the study of psychology, suggests an optimal level of arousal exists for peak performance on any given task. For example, athletes may perform best when experiencing a moderate level of excitement, whereas a highly anxious student may perform poorly on an exam.
Understanding this relationship is beneficial for optimizing individual performance across various domains, from academic pursuits to athletic endeavors. Recognizing one’s optimal arousal level can inform strategies for managing stress and anxiety, potentially improving overall success and well-being. Historically, the conceptualization emerged from early experimental work on the effects of electrical stimulation on the learning habits of mice.
