Arousal Theory

Introduction

Securing optimum performance is considered as on the important thing in completing the task at hand. The optimum performance is reached when the ability to work is determined and the way in which s/he can be motivated so that the potential reaches 100%. Motivation that varies from person to person is also influenced by his or her surroundings. And to motivate a person the needs should be realized and understood. The process of stimulation that is different for every individual to accomplish the goal oriented objectives can be done in different levels. The levels that are different for each people are aroused by factors like family, social status, promotions etc., that acts as a boost. To get a better understanding about the process and reason for being aroused many researches came up with and one theory is called as “Arousal Theory”.

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Every work needs motivation, helps, guides etc., to maintain and achieve the goal. The stimulation for getting a job the top result can be the external or internal forces like family, society etc., which act as social and intellectual process. To explain this phenomenon many number of theories were developed to explain motivation and Arousal Theory of Motivation is one among them.

The theory suggests that to improve the efficiency and maintain their output an individual takes necessary steps to increase or decrease the stimulation accordingly. If the stimulation is too low the person tries to work it through indulging in other activities that can excite him, on the other hand when the stimulation too high the person tries to do activities that can calm his excitement like meditation etc. The theory claims that the need for increased or decreased state of arousal depends on the individual, to reach the optimum level.

Arousal Theory

The arousal is one of the important aspects needed for attention and information process. One such factor that is considered as most important is emotions that acts a motivating aspect for bringing our certain behaviors like do or die response, sexual activity etc. This level also acts as a base in characterizing every individual as an extrovert or an introvert.

The psychological factor that arouses a person has a relationship with task performance, it is also proved that even a little raise or drop in the arousal can have a negative or positive effect in the task performance. Some can seek out his own motivation stimulator like going out for a hiking or partying in club etc that can pep them up.

When the optimal level is high the efficiency is also at raise and to maintain the optimal level they indulge in various activities.  When the arousal levels drop below the individual’s optimal level, the person seeks out stimulation to elevate them. For example, if the levels are to drop low the person might seek stimulation by going out to a nightclub with friends.

Influence on Performance

The performance that is always influenced even with a small change in the level of arousal is called linked to Yerkes Dodson Law of Arousal theory. This law suggests that the performance that is improved during the increased arousal. This improved performance can be seen only up to certain level and the efficiency consequently diminishes.

For example the optimal level of stress and anxiety helps to act as a motivation to concentrate and increase efficiency, but once the anxiety level rises and the optimal level decreases the concentration and efficiency too starts falling down making it difficult to show perfection.

• During Low Arousal Level:  When the arousal levels drop below the individual’s optimal level, the person seeks out stimulation to elevate them. For example, if the levels are to drop low the person might seek stimulation by going out to a nightclub with friends.
• During High Arousal Level: When the optimal level is high the efficiency is also at raise and to maintain the optimal level they indulge in various activities. The activities can be anything that relaxes and calms that individual’s mind and brain. For example, listening to calming music or doing meditation that can bring peace and solace.

Conclusion

To reach the goal every single person tries to use their optimal energy or the ideal arousal level. One of the basic reasons to why the behaviour and the attitude define the difference from person to person is also because of arousal level that determines ones personality, lifestyle. The energy and the arousal that is important to finish and achieve the goal with quality can also cause lower performance variation and mistakes.

It can be said that the arousal level should neither be too high nor too low that can lead to stress, depression or neurotic behaviour. And as explained in the above the complexity of the human mind that is explained is just one among the main points to be considered.