Define challenge stress and threat stress and explain their relationship to performance.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Without a certain amount of stress, we would be complacent and accomplish little. Psychologists have long noted this “dual face of stress,” and they distinguish between challenge stress and threat stress. Challenge stress fires you up, whereas threat stress burns you out. As originally proposed by two Harvard researchers, Robert Yerkes and John Dodson, a certain level of stress challenges you and increases your focus, alertness, efficiency, and productivity. After that point, however, things go downhill quickly, and stress compromises your job performance, your relationships, and even your health. Another interesting finding is that too much stress inhibits learning and flexibility. The point at which things tip over from challenge stress (good) to threat stress (bad) may vary with each individual. Most of us can easily tell when we’ve gone over the top of the stress curve. We stop feeling productive; experience emotions of anxiety, fear, depression, anger, or a combination of them; are easily irritated; and may have trouble making decisions.