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Academic Performance Under Stress
Sian Leah Beilock, Barnard College at Columbia University
October 2, 2019 · 6:00 pm · 10 McCosh
Princeton Public Lectures; Vanuxem Lecture Series
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Why do we “choke” under pressure? Why do poor performances occur in those very situations where students are set on doing their best? What cognitive and neural processes drive less-than-optimal outcomes when the pressure is high? And why do some people thrive while others fail in high-stakes situations? Sian Beilock will discuss behavioral and brain imaging work examining how students’ knowledge and general cognitive abilities interact with social and emotional factors (e.g., a student’s fear of test taking) to impact performance across a range of academic areas. She will also highlight how current research in psychology and neuroscience can be used to enhance learning and performance in the classroom.