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When high-powered people fail: Working memory and “Choking under Pressure” inmath
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| Venue: | Psychology Science |
| Citations: | 71 - 6 self |
BibTeX
@ARTICLE{Beilock_whenhigh-powered,
author = {Sian L. Beilock and Thomas H. Carr},
title = {When high-powered people fail: Working memory and “Choking under Pressure” inmath},
journal = {Psychology Science},
year = {},
pages = {101--105}
}
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Abstract
ABSTRACT—We examined the relation between pressureinduced performance decrements, or ‘‘choking under pressure,’ ’ in mathematical problem solving and individual differences in working memory capacity. In cognitively based academic skills such as math, pressure is thought to harm performance by reducing the working memory capacity available for skill execution. Results demonstrated that only individuals high in working memory capacity were harmed by performance pressure, and, furthermore, these skill decrements were limited to math problems with the highest demands on working memory capacity. These findings suggest that performance pressure harms individuals most qualified to succeed by consuming the working memory capacity that they rely on for their superior performance. For many people, the desire to perform their best in academics is high. Consequences for suboptimal performance, especially in examinations, include poor evaluations by mentors, teachers, and peers; lost scholarships; and relinquished educational and employment opportunities. However, in comparison to research examining the cognitive processes underlying skill learning and
Keyphrases
memory capacity working memory pressure inmath high-powered people performance pressure suboptimal performance many people skill decrement poor evaluation superior performance skill execution academic skill mathematical problem solving performance decrement individual difference skill learning employment opportunity cognitive process
