The Recent Plane Crash
On January 2nd in Tokyo, two planes collided in a deadly accident. A Japan Airlines passenger jet was landing at Haneda Airport when it crashed into a Japan Coast Guard plane waiting on the runway. While all 379 passengers and crew aboard the Japan Airlines Airbus A350 escaped safely, five out of six crew members on the Coast Guard plane were killed.
The Japanese government’s crash investigation, undertaken by the Japan Transport Safety Board, found that the probable cause of the accident was the Coast Guard pilot’s mistaken belief that he was clear to enter the runway and take off.
The pilot had been told to taxi to a holding point and await further instruction. However, in his haste to deliver rescue supplies to a region hit by an earthquake and get his colleagues home, he misinterpreted the air traffic controller's message as permission to enter the runway for takeoff. He even began the takeoff checklist before receiving clearance. This tragic accident highlights the danger of "choking under pressure." This phenomenon, observed in humans and animals, describes a paradoxical decrease in performance despite higher stakes and potential rewards.
Why do we choke?
A 2021 study titled "Monkeys exhibit a paradoxical decrease in performance in high-stakes scenarios," published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, investigated this phenomenon in rhesus monkeys. Researchers trained the monkeys to perform a reaching task with varying reward levels.
The study found that while monkeys generally performed better with increasing rewards, their performance declined when the potential reward was exceptionally high. This suggests that the pressure of achieving a large reward can negatively impact performance, even in non-human primates.
The pressure to succeed, especially in high-stakes situations, can lead to anxiety, stress, and ultimately, suboptimal performance. Whether in business, relationships, or everyday life, recognizing the potential for choking under pressure is the first step in mitigating its effects.
How not to choke
To avoid choking under pressure, Ted Ideas suggests it's crucial to recognize the factors that can trigger it and develop coping mechanisms. One effective strategy is to close the gap between training and competition. By practicing under conditions that simulate the actual performance environment, individuals can become accustomed to the pressure and reduce the likelihood of choking. For instance, if preparing for a presentation, rehearsing in front of others or a video camera can help acclimate to the feeling of being observed.
Another helpful technique is to "download" worries and anxieties by writing them down before the event. This can free up mental space and prevent negative thoughts from intruding during critical moments. Additionally, engaging in mindless activities, like singing a song or focusing on a minor physical sensation, can distract from overthinking and help "unhook" the brain from excessive analysis. By adopting these strategies, individuals can perform at their best even when the stakes are high.
In the tragic plane crash, the Coast Guard pilot, under the immense pressure of delivering aid and ensuring his colleagues' timely return, misinterpreted crucial instructions, leading to a fatal decision. While the circumstances were complex, this accident underscores the importance of remaining calm and focused under duress. By implementing strategies to manage stress and maintain clear thinking, you can mitigate the risks associated with pressure and increase the likelihood of making sound judgments, even in demanding situations.
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