TED TALK: Staying Calm Under Pressure

The first theory of not being able to perform at your best under pressure deals with distraction. Which of the following is NOT one of the reasons why people are not able to perform at their best due to distractions according to this first theory?

• worries

• lack of practice time

• doubts

• fears

The brain can only process so much information at once.

• True

• False

Mental Tasks that challenge working memory to temporarily store things such as phone numbers and grocery lists are especially vulnerable to pressure.

• True

• False

The second best theory of why people tend to not perform at their best while under pressure is because ___________.

• they overanalyze (think too much) about the task at hand

• of a lack of practice time

• of the weather conditions

• they are not properly hydrated

Tasks that we do unconsciously (without thinking) seem to be the most vulnerable to "choking" under pressure.

• True

• False

Which of the following is NOT a trait/characteristic that can make people susceptible to not performing at their best ("choking") under pressure?

• athletic ability

• self-conscious

• anxious

• afraid of being judged by others

Practicing while under pressure will make you more likely to "choke" under pressure.

• True

• False

Which of the following is NOT a pre-performance strategy used to alleviate the pressure you may feel before a performance, big game, or high pressure moment.

• repeating a cue word

• taking a few deep breaths

• eating a nutritious meal

• doing a rhythmic sequence of movements

Researchers have shown that having an internal focus, where someone is tuned into the mechanics of what they're doing, works better than having an external focus on the ultimate goal.

• True

• False

There are two theories (explanations/reasons) why people may not be able to perform at their best while under pressure. Both of those theories point to ________ as the main reason

• practice

• nutrition

• equipment failure

• focus