The cognitive psychobiology of performance regulation

Episodes of peak performance reflect modulation by particular psychological factors and are sometimes accompanied by an altered perception syndrome. Major cognitive contributions to peak performance include psychological readiness (optimal arousal level and emotions appropriate for the task), information processing (attending to and interpreting key stimuli as well as selecting appropriate responses), and endurance management (controlling fatigue and pain for sustained performance). Anatomical, pharmacological, and behavioral studies suggest the intriguing possibility that the recently discovered endorphins make important psychobiological contributions to performance modulation. Critical cognitive processes underlying peak performance may accordingly be susceptible to self regulation through manipulation of endorphin levels.