Challenges that are too low lead to what feeling, while challenges that are too high lead to what other feeling?

When facing challenges that are too low, individuals may experience feelings of boredom. This occurs because the tasks or goals are not engaging enough, leading to a lack of interest and motivation. On the other hand, challenges that are too high can evoke feelings of anxiety. This happens when individuals perceive the challenges as unmanageable or overwhelming, precipitating stress and uncertainty about their ability to meet those demands.

This relationship between challenge levels and emotional responses is rooted in the principles of flow theory, which posits that optimal experiences occur when people's skills are aligned with the challenges they face. When the challenge is too easy, it does not stimulate engagement, leading to boredom. Conversely, excessively challenging tasks can create feelings of anxiety as individuals may doubt their ability to succeed. Thus, the pairing of boredom with low challenges and anxiety with high challenges accurately reflects how individuals react to varying levels of task difficulty.