1. Choking Under Pressure Michael Hoerger

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

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

4. PhysicalCognitive AutomaticSelf-consciousUnlikely ControlledDistraction

5. 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

6. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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.