Increase of Performance Anxiety and "Choking Under Pressure" Among Performing Artists
If failure shame continues to grow over the next ten years, performing artists will experience more significant performance anxiety and choking under pressure by 2035. Let us take a closer look at how this will impact them.
Understanding Performance Anxiety and Choking Under Pressure
Performance anxiety, or stage fright, is a type of social anxiety that affects individuals in music, acting, and dance. It includes fear of performing in front of an audience, leading to sweating, nervousness, and heart racing (Kenny, 2011; Nagel, 2017).
Choking under pressure is the failure to perform at a person's usual level because of stress, even though they are capable under normal circumstances (Nideffer & Sagal, 2001).
Causes of Performance Anxiety
Several factors contribute to performance anxiety, including shame from failing, fear of judgment, and lack of preparation (Nagel, 2017). The anxiety often begins long before the performance, as performers anticipate the event and worry about potential mistakes (Kenny, 2011). Perfectionism, a personality trait involving the setting of unrealistic standards, also plays a significant role in exacerbating performance anxiety (Flett & Hewitt, 2005). Additionally, the mere presence of an audience can heighten anxiety, as performers fear negative evaluation and the consequences of poor performance (Kenny, 2011).
Causes of Choking Under Pressure
Two main theories explain why performers choke under pressure: distraction theory and explicit monitoring theory. Distraction theory suggests that pressure causes individuals to focus on thoughts irrelevant to the task, distracting them from it (Beilock & Carr, 2001). Explicit monitoring theory says that under pressure, performers are more conscious of their actions, disturbing their normal, automatic response (Masters, 1992). Both theories are normal to performers and how pressure impacts performance (DeCaro et al., 2011).
Musicians' Performance Anxiety
Recent studies indicate that performance anxiety is highly prevalent among musicians. Approximately six in ten musicians experience performance anxiety, with about one in five experiencing severe anxiety (Musicians' Union, 2024). This issue affects musicians of all ages and levels of proficiency, from students to professionals (Fernholz et al., 2019). In higher education contexts, the prevalence of music performance anxiety can be as high as 83.1% (Miller & Chesky, 2004). In professional settings, the prevalence ranges from 16.5% to 60% (Fernholz et al., 2019).
Risk Factors
Several risk factors are associated with music performance anxiety. These include the unique performance situation, audience perceptions, personality type, gender, performance experience, and organizational culture (Barros et al., 2022). The development of anxiety disorders, including music performance anxiety, is also linked to genetic factors and early life circumstances (Barlow, 2000). Additionally, music performance anxiety can co-exist with social anxiety, panic, and depression (Kenny, 2011).
Dancers' Performance Anxiety
Performance anxiety is also pervasive among dancers, with a prevalence at both professional and amateur levels. The prevalence of performance anxiety in dancers is comparable to that of other performing artists, with estimates ranging from 20% to 60% of dancers experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression (Swain & Bodkin-Allen, 2022). Specifically for dancers, research has shown that mental health challenges, such as anxiety and eating disorders, are high among professional ballet dancers (Arcelus et al., 2024; Lockett et al., 2018).
Managing Performance Anxiety and Choking
There are methods to help performers manage anxiety and avoid choking under pressure, including:
Preparation and Routine: Performance preparation and establishing a pre-performance routine can help performers feel more confident and reduce anxiety (Nagel, 2017).
Relaxation Techniques: Incorporating relaxation techniques into daily routines can help manage stress levels (Kenny 2011).
Mental Rehearsal and Visualization: Practicing the performance mindset through mental rehearsal and visualization can help performers stay focused and present during the performance (Kageyama, 2021).
Professional Help: Seeing professionals, such as therapists or counselors, can help people with performance anxiety, which can inhibit their performance (Nagel, 2017).
Sport Psychology Principles: Applying principles from sport psychology, such as focusing on the process rather than the outcome, can help performers manage pressure and perform at their best (Kageyama, 2021).
Dynamic Handgrip Technique: A simple technique, such as squeezing a soft ball in the left hand before performing, has been shown to help some individuals achieve a mental state conducive to better performance under pressure (Beckmann et al., 2013).
Performance anxiety and choking under pressure are significant challenges for performing artists, affecting their ability to perform at their best. Understanding the causes and prevalence of these issues and implementing methods to manage them helps performers' well-being and success. By addressing these challenges through education, preparation, and professional support, performers can enhance their resilience and confidence, ultimately leading to more consistent and fulfilling performances.
References
Arcelus, J., Witcomb, G. L., & Mitchell, A. (2024). Prevalence of eating disorders amongst dancers: A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Eating Disorders Review, 22(2), 92–101. https://doi.org/10.1002/erv.2271
Barlow, D. H. (2000). Unraveling the mysteries of anxiety and its disorders from the perspective of emotion theory. American Psychologist, 55(11), 1247–1263. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.11.1247
Barros, A. G., Coutinho, D., Ribeiro, L., & Gonçalves, E. (2022). Music performance anxiety in higher education: A systematic review. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 858256. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.858256
Beckmann, J., Gröpel, P., & Ehrlenspiel, F. (2013). Preventing motor skill failure through hemisphere-specific priming: Cases from choking under pressure. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 142(3), 679–691. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0029852
Beilock, S. L., & Carr, T. H. (2001). On the fragility of skilled performance: What governs choking under pressure? Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 130(4), 701–725. https://doi.org/10.1037/0096-3445.130.4.701
DeCaro, M. S., Thomas, R. D., Albert, N. B., & Beilock, S. L. (2011). Choking under pressure: Multiple routes to skill failure. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 140(3), 390–406. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0023466
Fernholz, I., Mumm, J. L. M., Plag, J., Noeres, K., Rotter, G., Willich, S. N., Ströhle, A., Berger, M., & Schmidt, A. (2019). Performance anxiety in professional musicians: A systematic review on prevalence, risk factors, and clinical treatment effects. Psychological Medicine, 49(14), 2287–2306. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291719001910
Flett, G. L., & Hewitt, P. L. (2005). The perils of perfectionism in sports and exercise. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 14(1), 14–18. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0963-7214.2005.00326.x
Kageyama, N. (2021). Beyond practicing: A guide to psychology, technique, and performance. Bulletproof Musician.Kenny, D. T. (2011). The psychology of music performance anxiety. Oxford University Press.
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Lockett, H., Lai, J., Tuason, C., Jury, A., & Fergusson, D. M. (2018). Primary healthcare utilization among adults with mood and anxiety disorders: An analysis of the New Zealand Health Survey. Journal of Primary Health Care. https://doi.org/10.1071/hc17077
Masters, R. S. W. (1992). Knowledge, nerves, and know-how: The role of explicit versus implicit knowledge in the breakdown of a complex motor skill under pressure. British Journal of Psychology, 83(3), 343–358. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2044-8295.1992.tb02446.x
Miller, S. R., & Chesky, K. (2004). The multidimensional anxiety theory: An assessment of and relationships between intensity and direction of cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, and self-confidence over multiple performance requirements among college music majors. Medical Problems of Performing Artists, 19(1), 12–20.
Musicians' Union. (2024). We're celebrating Musicians' Mental Health Month 2024. https://musiciansunion.org.uk/news/we-re-celebrating-musicians-mental-health-month-2024
Nagel, J. J. (2017). Managing stage fright: A guide for musicians and music teachers. Oxford University Press.Nideffer, R. M., & Sagal, M. S. (2001). Assessment in sport psychology. Fitness Information Technology.
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Swain, N., & Bodkin-Allen, S. (2022). Developing resilience: A pilot study of an intervention program for tertiary music students. Frontiers in Psychology, p. 13, 780263. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.780263
