Tag: Khalifa Bartura
Public defense of doctoral thesis | Understanding Ironic Performance Breakdown Under Pressure. Unwanted thoughts, cognitive task load, and shooting performance: Implications for elite athletes by Khalifa Bartura, Norwegian School...
Even the most skilled athletes can falter under pressure, not because they lack skill, but because their own thoughts become their worst enemy. Ironically, trying not to make a mess makes mistake more likely—a phenomenon known as an ironic error. Yet despite its real-world consequences, little research examines whether elite performers—those who train relentlessly for high-stakes moments—succumb to these mental traps. The bottom line? Under pressure, ditch the “don’ts.” Train the brain to focus on what to do, not what to avoid—because where attention goes, performance follows.
