choking under pressure

a paradoxical effect in which the demands of a situation that calls for good performance—such as a school test, sports competition, or job interview—cause an individual to perform poorly relative to his or her capabilities. Pressure denotes the individual’s desire to perform well; choking refers to the actual decrement in performance that results.

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Psychology term of the day

November 23rd 2024

response topography

the physical characteristics of a response, including its duration, force, extent, and location. Also called topography of response.