Choking Under Pressure Michael Hoerger

Choking Under Pressure Performing worse than expected on an important task Examples: Missed golf putt or free throw Bombing an exam Mind going blank

Types of Tasks Physical vs. Cognitive tasks Controlled vs. Automatic Controlled: require attention Automatic: do not require attention, speedy

PhysicalCognitive AutomaticSelf-consciousUnlikely ControlledDistraction

Automatic Physical Tasks Professional sports, experienced driving, sex, speaking, playing guitar Through practice, physical tasks become well-learned and automatic Self-consciousness (embarrassment, shame, anxiety) disrupts automatic processing choking

In advance: Practice under high-pressure conditions In the moment: Distraction from self-consciousness Speed it up Use a routine to facilitate engagement in automatic processing Avoiding Choking: Automatic Tasks

Controlled Physical Tasks Learning to drive, conducting surgery, learning to play video games, learning to ballroom dance Performing novel physical tasks requires controlled attention Distractions hog cognitive resources needed for attention choking

Controlled Cognitive Tasks ACTs, exams, spelling bees, giving a speech Performing complex cognitive tasks requires controlled attention Distractions hog cognitive resources needed for attention choking

Avoiding Choking: Controlled Tasks In advance Overlearn: Practice, practice, practice Practice under high pressure condition In the moment: Anything to reduce anxiety: breathing or muscle relaxation, challenge beliefs that are causing pressure

Stereotype Threat Stereotypes: yuppie, feminist, liberal, White male Performance pressure created when success or failure would support a stereotype Can affect any group, but historically most stereotypes have been against females and minorities

A Threat in the Air 2,800 women and minorities fail to get calculus AP credit each year due to stereotype threat Leads to disidentification and avoidance to maintain self-esteem Public policy against stereotypes is key

Michael Hoerger To cite this lecture: Hoerger, M. (2007, March 26). Choking Under Pressure, Skilled Performance, and Stereotype Threat. Presented at a PSY 220 lecture at Central Michigan University.