SCIENCE
How a Big Jump Changes Your Mind
Tue Apr 29 2025
A big jump from a high place can really mess with your head. This is what a group of young adults found out when they took part in a study. The study looked at how a scary situation affects the way people make choices, how they feel, and how confident they are in their actions.
Nineteen people took part in the study. They were all around 23 years old. Each person did two jumps. One was a tiny jump from just one meter high. The other was a massive jump from 192 meters high. This is like jumping off a really tall building.
Before and after each jump, the participants did some tests. These tests checked how they made decisions, how they felt, and how they behaved. The results showed some interesting things. For example, people took more risks before and after the big jump compared to the small jump. This means that the big jump made them more likely to take chances.
Another interesting finding was about how confident people felt before they did something. After the big jump, people felt more sure of themselves. This means that the big jump boosted their confidence. However, this boost in confidence might not always be a good thing. It could also make people more likely to take risks that they shouldn't.
The study also found that people felt more excited and happy right before the big jump. This shows that the big jump really got their hearts racing. But this excitement didn't last. After the jump, people felt more calm and in control.
So, what does all this mean? Well, it shows that a big, scary situation can really change how you think and feel. It can make you more likely to take risks and more confident in your actions. But it's important to remember that this boost in confidence might not always be a good thing. It could also make you more likely to take risks that you shouldn't.
The study also shows that the excitement and happiness people felt before the big jump didn't last. After the jump, they felt more calm and in control. This means that the big jump might have helped them learn to handle their feelings better.
So, if you're ever in a scary situation, remember that it can change how you think and feel. But it's important to stay in control and not take too many risks.
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questions
What are the long-term effects of high-stress situations on decision-making and self-efficacy?
What are the potential ethical implications of using high-stress situations to enhance self-efficacy?
What if the control jump was from a slightly higher platform, say 1.5 m, would the results still hold?
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