Final answer:
Moderate anxiety is found to be conducive to learning as it leads to eustress, enhancing cognitive functions and memory recall. The correct answer is option a.
Step-by-step explanation:
Research pertaining to the relationship between stress and performance, such as the Yerkes-Dodson Law, has found that moderate anxiety can actually be conducive to learning. This level of anxiety spurs a moderate amount of stress, known as eustress, which can enhance cognitive functions and improve memory recall.
In contrast, low anxiety might lead to underperformance due to apathy, while severe anxiety and panic-level anxiety can overwhelm an individual, leading to distressed states that hinder learning and performance. A good example of optimal stress level in action is seen in athletes who perform better when experiencing a certain level of pregame stress.
The same principle applies to students who may find that mild stress before an exam helps them to focus and recall information better. Hence, a state of moderate arousal is often the sweet spot for achieving peak performance in various challenging scenarios.