Psychological Factors Determining Performance Under Pressure

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 19 January 2027 | Viewed by 6968

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 (4 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 845 KB  
Article
Mental Skills Training: An Often-Overlooked Aspect of Preparation for Future High-Performing Athletes in Sports Schools
by Sebastian Schröder, Christine Stucke, Tabea Linkohr and Melanie Schulz
Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(7), 1109; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16071109 - 3 Jul 2026
Viewed by 209
Abstract
The present study aims to analyze the development of achievement motivation and self-efficacy belief in the context of elite sports schools. A total of 658 athletes (349 female, 309 male) from Year 5 onwards participated in the central trials and performance assessments in [...] Read more.
The present study aims to analyze the development of achievement motivation and self-efficacy belief in the context of elite sports schools. A total of 658 athletes (349 female, 309 male) from Year 5 onwards participated in the central trials and performance assessments in track and field for elite sports schools between 2016 and 2025. In addition to the analysis of physical and athletic performance, the following aspects were also documented: achievement motivation, need for achievement motives and general self-efficacy beliefs. Firstly, differences between the genders were measured in terms of fear of failure and confidence, exhibiting a small effect size ranging from 0.175 to 0.25 and a significance of 0.001 and 0.026. A subsequent analysis of the Kruskal–Wallis test, pertaining to the various groups with differing performance levels, revealed significant disparities in self-discipline (p = 0.010), goal setting (p = 0.013) and confidence (p = 0.029). The effect sizes for these differences ranged from 0.08 to 0.14, indicating a modest magnitude of impact. The psychological profile of the top athletes, which is based on the psychological determinants of the study, differs significantly from that of the other groups of athletes at time t1 (p = 0.001). It is recommended that appropriate training and guidance from coaches and sports psychologists be provided, given that confidence and self-efficacy expectations are key predictors of physical and athletic performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological Factors Determining Performance Under Pressure)
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28 pages, 314 KB  
Article
Skill Breakdown and Symbolic Relating: A Functional Contextual Exploration of Choking in Sport
by Sara T. Svoboda, Patrick Smith, Denise M. Hill, Jamie B. Barker and Karl J. Steptoe
Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(7), 1052; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16071052 - 24 Jun 2026
Viewed by 402
Abstract
Choking in sport is both a highly researched phenomenon and a colloquial term for performance collapse, which has been at the centre of much debate. The past four decades of study continue to present challenges with its definition that have stifled progression with [...] Read more.
Choking in sport is both a highly researched phenomenon and a colloquial term for performance collapse, which has been at the centre of much debate. The past four decades of study continue to present challenges with its definition that have stifled progression with both research and applied intervention. This study adopted a functional contextual approach, with the aim of exploring how conceptualising choking through this lens might better serve practitioners and researchers, to build more impactful and meaningful processes for behaviour change. A purposive sample of 12 athletes, who identified as having experienced choking, took part in one of four focus groups. Thematic analysis provided four themes that explain choking from this functional contextual perspective, as a process of creating maladaptive personal narratives, responding to symbolic cues, rule-following, and strategies to alleviate the discomfort of challenging inner experiences associated with the experience. Findings provide preliminary support for functional contextualism as a worthwhile research lens for choking, with the suggestion that returning to observable definitions of choking may offer practitioners greater insight into relational processes underpinning choking. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological Factors Determining Performance Under Pressure)
20 pages, 592 KB  
Article
Workplace Involution and Employees’ Proactive Career Behavior: The Moderating Role of Construal Level
by Yali Jiang and Haiping Chen
Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(3), 313; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16030313 - 25 Feb 2026
Viewed by 878
Abstract
Workplace involution has become a widespread and salient phenomenon among employees in contemporary Chinese organizations. However, little is known about how workplace involution influences employees’ cognition and behaviors. Drawing on the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) model and Construal Level Theory (CLT), this study investigated [...] Read more.
Workplace involution has become a widespread and salient phenomenon among employees in contemporary Chinese organizations. However, little is known about how workplace involution influences employees’ cognition and behaviors. Drawing on the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) model and Construal Level Theory (CLT), this study investigated the effect of workplace involution on employees’ proactive career behavior and examined the moderating role of construal level. Study 1 employed a survey design with 284 full-time employees using validated measures of workplace involution, proactive career behavior, and construal levels. Study 2 adopted a scenario-based experimental design that manipulated workplace involution and construal level. Results from both studies consistently revealed that (1) workplace involution had a significant negative effect on employees’ proactive career behavior, and (2) construal level positively moderated this relationship. Specifically, a high construal level buffered the detrimental impact of workplace involution on proactive career behavior. These findings highlight the inhibitory mechanism of workplace involution on employees’ positive career behaviors and elucidate the cognitive boundary conditions underlying this effect. These results have theoretical and practical implications for promoting career proactivity in highly competitive organizational environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological Factors Determining Performance Under Pressure)
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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
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4486
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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