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The Optimal Stimulation Hypothesis and Early Development

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The Structuring of Experience

Abstract

For much of the history of psychology, the relation of stimulation to development has been construed in terms of a linear model or what Wohwill (1974) has called the “more the merrier hypothesis.” However, in the 1950’s, with the writings of Helson (1948), Piaget (1952), Hebb (1955), and Leuba (1955), a contrasting view, the optimal stimulation hypothesis, began to be seriously considered by behavioral scientists. Basically, the optimal stimulation hypothesis predicts an inverted-U or butterfly-shaped relationship between stimulation (or arousal) level and behavior or development (Hunt, 1963). More specifically, in terms of organismic development, two specific predictions have been associated with the optimal stimulation hypothesis. The first prediction, the “preference” prediction, is derived from the work of Hebb (1955) and Leuba (1955) and involves the organism’s preference for or approach to stimulation. Basically, the preference prediction states that organisms will prefer or approach an optimal level of stimulation.

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  1. Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA

    Theodore D. Wachs

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  1. Theodore D. Wachs
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  1. Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA

    Ina Č. Užgiris

  2. York University, Downsview, Ontario, Canada

    Fredric Weizmann

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Wachs, T.D. (1977). The Optimal Stimulation Hypothesis and Early Development. In: Užgiris, I.Č., Weizmann, F. (eds) The Structuring of Experience. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-8786-6_6

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