How to Avoid Choking under Pressure (BSP 76)

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Sian Beilock, PhD

In her book, Choke: What the Secrets of the Brain Reveal About Getting It Right When You Have To, University of Chicago psychologist, Sian Beilock, explores the dreaded phenomena of choking (i.e. the failure to perform as expected under pressure).  More importantly, she provides practical suggestions for preventing poor performance.

In the latest episode of the Brain Science Podcast (BSP 76) I talk with her about the different types of choking; it turns out that the failure mechanisms between blowing the big test and missing the key shot in sports are significantly different.  Understanding both how they differ and what they have in common is the key to better performance.

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Links: 

References: 

  • Choke: What the Secrets of the Brain Reveal About Getting It Right When You Have To, by Sian Beilock.

  • The Overflowing Brain: Information Overload and the Limits of Working Memory, by Torkel Klingberg.

  • Houben, K., Wiers, R. W., & Jansen, A. (2011). Getting a Grip on Drinking Behavior : Training Working Memory to Reduce Alcohol Abuse. Psychological Science. (Dr. Beilock's review for Psychology Today).

  • Writing About Testing Worries Boosts Exam Performance in the Classroom Gerardo Ramirez and Sian L. Beilock Science 14 January 2011: 211-213. (Beilock's interview with Science podcast).

  • C. Liston, B. S. MeEwen, and B. J. Casey, "Psychological stress reversibley disrupts prefrontal processing and attentional control." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA, 106 (2009), 912-917. (abstract)

  • A. Lutz, H. A. Slagter, J. D. Dunne, and R. J. Davidsons, " Attention regulation and monitoring in meditation," Trends in Cognitive Science, 12 (2008), 163-169.

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