Building on this, psychology suggests that a moderated state yields better control. The Yerkes–Dodson law (1908) observes that excessive arousal degrades fine performance; muscle tension tightens the grip but scatters the aim. In practice, a relaxed nervous system allows better perception and timing—critical in conflict or negotiation. Moreover, compassion training has been shown to improve emotional regulation and cognitive flexibility in lab studies, including work from Richard Davidson’s group at the University of Wisconsin–Madison (2004–2013). Softness, then, is not weakness; it is a neurophysiological setting that keeps attention steady and intention accurate. [...]
