Cognitive biases & decision-making · law 079
Yerkes–Dodson Law
By Shivam Bhandari · Reviewed 31 October 2026 · How we write
what it means
Performance improves with stress or arousal up to a point, then declines when pressure gets too high.
How Yerkes–Dodson Law works
Too little pressure leads to boredom and low effort; moderate pressure focuses attention; too much causes anxiety and mistakes. The ideal level is lower for complex tasks than for simple ones.
For managers, the lesson is to set stretching but achievable goals, and to watch for burnout when pressure stays too high.
where it comes from
Psychologists Robert Yerkes and John Dodson published it in 1908 after experiments with mice learning tasks under different levels of mild shock. It is usually drawn as an inverted U-shaped curve.
Yerkes–Dodson Law examples in business
Deadlines
A realistic deadline helps a team focus, while an impossible one causes errors and corner-cutting.
Sales
Sales teams with stretch targets perform well; those with unachievable targets give up or game numbers.
Presentations
A little nervousness sharpens a speaker; panic makes them forget their points.
How to apply it
- 1Set goals that stretch but are achievable.
- 2Use lower pressure for complex, creative tasks.
- 3Watch for signs of overload: errors, absenteeism, conflict.
- 4Add challenge when teams seem bored or disengaged.
common misreading
It doesn't mean stress is good. The curve shows a sweet spot — beyond it, pressure destroys performance.
ask yourself
Is your team bored, stretched, or overwhelmed right now?
put it into practice
Frequently asked questions
What is Yerkes–Dodson Law?
Performance improves with stress or arousal up to a point, then declines when pressure gets too high. Too little pressure leads to boredom and low effort; moderate pressure focuses attention; too much causes anxiety and mistakes. The ideal level is lower for complex tasks than for simple ones.
Who came up with Yerkes–Dodson Law?
Psychologists Robert Yerkes and John Dodson published it in 1908 after experiments with mice learning tasks under different levels of mild shock. It is usually drawn as an inverted U-shaped curve.
How do you apply Yerkes–Dodson Law in business?
1. Set goals that stretch but are achievable. 2. Use lower pressure for complex, creative tasks. 3. Watch for signs of overload: errors, absenteeism, conflict. 4. Add challenge when teams seem bored or disengaged.
What is a common misunderstanding of Yerkes–Dodson Law?
It doesn't mean stress is good. The curve shows a sweet spot — beyond it, pressure destroys performance.