TED-Ed: How to stay calm under pressure - Noa Kageyama and Pen-Pen Chen

The video explores the phenomenon of choking under pressure, common in sports and other high-stakes situations. It discusses two main theories: distraction theories, which suggest performance suffers when the mind is preoccupied, and explicit monitoring theories, which argue that overanalyzing automatic skills can hinder performance. The video also identifies individuals more susceptible to choking and offers strategies to mitigate it, such as practicing under stress, using pre-performance routines, and maintaining an external focus on goals.

What is the primary reason people tend to 'choke' under pressure according to the introduction?

• Lack of skill

• Loss of focus

• Overconfidence

• Nervousness

According to distraction theories, what primarily causes performance to suffer?

• Lack of practice

• Physical fatigue

• Overconfidence

• Preoccupation with worries

What do explicit monitoring theories suggest about automatic skills?

• They improve with conscious thought

• They suffer when overanalyzed

• They require constant practice

• They are unaffected by pressure

Which strategy is NOT mentioned as a way to prevent choking?

• Practicing under stress

• Using pre-performance routines

• Maintaining an external focus on goals

• Focusing on the mechanics of the task

What did studies on golfers reveal about focus during performance?

• Focusing on arm motion improves accuracy

• External focus on the ball's flight enhances performance

• Internal focus on mechanics leads to better results

• Ignoring the task entirely is beneficial