Psychological Factors Determining Performance Under Pressure

A special issue of Behavioral Sciences (ISSN 2076-328X).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 April 2026 | Viewed by 489

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Health Sciences University, Bournemouth BH5 2DF, UK
Interests: performance under pressure; leadership in teams; psychology of human performance; impact of social media on sports performance

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Health Sciences University, Bournemouth BH5 2DF, UK
Interests: performance; vision and performance; positive psychology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With this Special Issue, we would like to focus on factors both influencing and determining performance under pressure across different performance domains.

The notion of performance is a key aspect of many domains of human endeavor and is increasingly recognized as a fundamental component of many related professions. This notion of performance—performing key skills effectively at the right time—is a characteristic of many domains including sport, medicine, acting, musical performance, the military, emergency services, air traffic control, and the performing arts. While there are significant differences between these domains regarding the skills required, the rewards for successful execution, the consequences for failure, and the underpinning psychology appear to be similar. In this Special Issue, we are seeking to showcase contemporary evidence and thinking relating to the factors that both influence and determine expert performance.

In this Special Issue, we invite authors to contribute research that deepens and examines the various factors that underpin, influence, and determine performance–performance under pressure in particular. The aim is to work with authors to add new perspectives, knowledge, and applied solutions relating to performance psychology and the ability to perform effectively under pressure across different performance domains. Studies that might be appropriate for this Special Issue could focus on the development of expertise and the differences between experts and novices; stress, stressors, and coping; the impact of mental health and wellbeing (on performance); sleep and performance; psychological strategies that impact upon performance; resilience and adversity; and emotions and performance.

Abstract deadline: 13th January 2025

Notification of Abstract acceptance: 27th January 2025

Final submission deadline: 1st September 2025

Prof. Dr. Stewart T. Cotterill
Dr. Zoe Wimshurst
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • performance under pressure
  • decision making
  • emotion
  • resilience
  • confidence
  • motor control
  • expertise

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

17 pages, 439 KB  
Article
An Exploration of the Psychological Traits Deemed Crucial for Success in UK Special Forces Operators
by Shane Breen and Stewart Cotterill
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 1194; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15091194 - 1 Sep 2025
Viewed by 189
Abstract
Special forces operators are increasingly being utilized as the weapon of choice by many governments on the geopolitical stage. Given the specialized and high-risk nature of special forces operations, it is important to understand the differences that exist when comparing the psychological traits [...] Read more.
Special forces operators are increasingly being utilized as the weapon of choice by many governments on the geopolitical stage. Given the specialized and high-risk nature of special forces operations, it is important to understand the differences that exist when comparing the psychological traits of these groups to regular military forces. An understanding of these traits is crucial when looking to select, develop, and support the most appropriate individuals to succeed in these roles. While previous research has painted a clear picture relating to personality differences between special forces operators and the wider military forces, there is still little research that has explored the psychological traits that both influence and determine performance. As a result, the aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of former United Kingdom (UK) special forces operators regarding the psychological traits they believed were crucial for success as a special forces operator in the UK military. Participants in this study were 20 former UK special forces operators, each having transitioned from active service to civilian life within the previous five years. Data were collected and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results suggested a specific profile of UK special forces operators composed of nine specific factors: resilience, adaptability, self-belief, perseverance, emotional regulation, self-control, drive, humility, and stubbornness. With the last two relatively novel compared with relevant research in similar populations. These findings can help to underpin the development of special forces-specific programs of support and development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological Factors Determining Performance Under Pressure)
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