THE INVERTED-U THEORY
How productive are you under pressure? A theory called The Inverted-U showed that the right amount of pressure can be an important factor to motivates you.
The inverted-U Theory, also known as Yerkes-Dodson Law was created in 1908 by 2 psychologists, Robert Yerkes, and John Dodson. The theory makes a relationship between pressure and performance. No pressure, people do not feel challenged to work hard to achieve a task, too much pressure, they crumble and the task becomes stressful. But, on the other hand, It shows that by using the pressure wisely, people can do their best work with a highly productive state.
The inverted-U theory is present in every productive field, from education to work. When the student has an expansive deadline to make a task, he will procrastinate. It happens in an office too. Otherwise, if the same student is under too much pressure to produce and he has a tight deadline, he will not make good work. As you can see in the graph above, there is a thin line between the boredom and the high-stress performance. This area is exactly where a manager or a teacher wants his employees or his students to be.
It is important to understand the inverted-U for better task distribution. If you know the person you are dealing with, you know their limits and the best way to manage your performance. It will be good for the project at all. Being aware of it, you can allocate the right tasks and projects to the right people.
As a manager, using the inverted-U theory you can manage better your workforce and have better results. If you are an employee, it is important to be aware of your limits to know your area of best performance.
Important reference:
- Yerkes, R.M. and Dodson, J.D. (1908). "A Relation of Strength of Stimulus to Rapidity of Habit-Formation". Retrieved from https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/inverted-u.htm
