title: The benefit of punishment sensitivity on motor performance under pressure.
abstract: Humans are often required to perform demanding cognitive and motor tasks under pressure. However, in such environments there is considerable interindividual variability in the ability to successfully execute actions. Here, we consider how individual differences in self-reported sensitivity to punishment influence skilled motor performance under pressure and whether this relationship is moderated by the temporal detection of threat.
  
  
  
  Across two studies, 160 UK participants (Study 1: N = 80, Mage= 21.6, 52 males; Study 2: N = 80, Mage= 24.95, 45 males) performed a precision-grip task and received either early or late warning of an upcoming stressful manipulation involving social evaluation and performance-dependent incentives.
  
  
  
  In both studies, we report an interaction where punishment sensitivity was adaptive for motor performance only when threats were detected early and there was opportunity to prepare for the upcoming stressor. Further, our results suggest that the benefits of punishment sensitivity are likely underpinned by the effective use of cognitive strategies.
  
  
  
  Heightened sensitivity to punishment is adaptive for performance under pressure, provided threats are detected early and effective cognitive strategies are implemented.
authors.affiliation: Bangor University.|Chulalongkorn University.
authors.forename: Harry
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-9533-9207
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Manley
authors.affiliation: Bangor University.
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Beattie
authors.affiliation: Bangor University.
authors.forename: Ross
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-0268-1228
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.affiliation: Bangor University.
authors.forename: Gavin P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Lawrence
authors.affiliation: Bangor University.
authors.forename: Lew
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hardy
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011678:Punishment / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: anxiety; defensive distance; performance; reinforcement sensitivity theory; threat imminence