The optimal level of anxiety more than 100 years ago, animal experimenters provided a clear demonstration
of the link between emotion and motivation.
They tested how quickly most learned a lap dance around also resulted in a shock of varying severity.
The results showed that the lowest levels of shock led to a relatively slow learning as the mice seemed
insufficiently motivated by mild punishment.
The highest levels of shock similarly produced the slow learning as the mice seem to have reached a
heightened state of arousal that interfered with learning.
Psychologists call this button an inverted you because of the shape it makes when ground humans show
the same inverted U.
Button as a function of their anxiety.
Too little and too much hurt.
Our performance and modest amounts maximize our success.
For example, moderate amounts of stimulants stimulants like coffee can increase our energy and focus
while higher amounts make us feel jittery and overstimulated.