What term describes the principle that as task difficulty increases, the optimum level of arousal for effective response decreases?

The principle that describes the relationship between task difficulty and the optimum level of arousal is known as the Inverted-U Law. This concept suggests that there is an optimal level of arousal that corresponds to peak performance on a task. When a task is simple, a higher level of arousal may facilitate better performance. However, as task difficulty increases, the level of arousal that leads to optimal performance decreases.

In simpler terms, for complex tasks, too much arousal can hinder performance, while too little can also be detrimental. As the challenge of a task increases, maintaining a calm and focused state becomes more advantageous. This understanding is crucial for effectively managing performance in high-pressure situations, where balancing arousal levels can be a key to success.