1. 10 February 2005

    1427 days ago

    Smart People Choke Under Pressure

    A study proves it: a math test was administered under little pressure to a group of college students, who were then divided into two groups according to their scores (high vs low). The same test was then re-administered under a high pressure situation – they were told that their team depended on each of its members to score well and the team which scored higher would win a prize.

    On the second time around the score of the higher group dropped significantly to the same level of the lower group, which didn’t change at all.

    Since working memory is known to predict many higher-level brain functions, the research calls into question the ability of high-pressure tests such as the SAT, GRE, LSAT, and MCAT to accurately gauge who will succeed in future academic endeavors.

    I’ve never been good at handling pressure, but interestingly, I’ve had most of my problems under pressure while playing tennis. I just can’t win matches – I can take a 5-2 lead then blow it like that. Maybe that’s why the best jocks are dumb!

    But what I want to know it: were is the research that helps you not worry yourself sick?

    via Kjell Olsen1427 days ago

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