Polygraph Glossary Theory

Yerkes-Dodson Inverted U

Definition

The Yerkes-Dodson Inverted U (1908) models the relationship between arousal and performance as an inverted U-shape. Performance improves with arousal to an optimum, then declines. In PDD, under-aroused examinees (fatigue, medication) produce insufficient responses, while over-aroused examinees pr...

What Is the Yerkes-Dodson Inverted U?

The Yerkes-Dodson Inverted U (1908) models the relationship between arousal and performance as an inverted U-shape. Performance improves with arousal to an optimum, then declines. In PDD, under-aroused examinees (fatigue, medication) produce insufficient responses, while over-aroused examinees produce responses difficult to interpret. Examiners aim for moderate arousal during the Pre-Test Interview.

Cross-references

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