Decision-making, affective states, and self–efficacy of students in the high–stress situation of a 192 m bungee jump – a randomised crossover trial

Bibliographic Data

ID7149894
AuthorsFelix Wachholz (0000-0002-7421-9852, Universität Innsbruck, corresponding author), Mavin Wilhelm (Universität Innsbruck), Anika Frühauf (0000-0003-1929-390X, Universität Innsbruck), Martin Niedermeier (0000-0001-7571-4962, Universität Innsbruck), Martin Kopp (0000-0002-6907-7300, Universität Innsbruck)
Year2026
Volume40
Issue1
Pages226-236
Publication date2026-01-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueCognition & Emotion (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0269-9931 • E-ISSN: 1464-0600
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/02699931.2025.2496822
PMID40294342
OpenAlexW4409872905
LanguageEN
References cited47

Decision-making involves rational and affective pathways, with high-stress potentially altering decision - making and affective states, alongside affecting behavioural variables. This study aims to analyze decision-making, affective states, and variables related to behaviour in a real-life high-stress scenario (bungee - jumping).Using a within-subject crossover-design, 19 participants (47% female, aged 23.0 ± 2.1 years) completed a 192 m bungee-jump and a 1 m control jump. Decision-making tests, affective states, and behavioural variables were assessed. Condition-by-time fully repeated measures analyses of variance were employed.Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART) revealed significantly higher values pre - and post-bungee-jump compared to the control jump. Accuracy and average reaction time on the Go/No-Go task remained consistent across conditions and time points. Pre-action self-efficacy was significantly higher after the bungee - jump compared to the control jump. Affective valence demonstrated a significant condition-by-time interaction, presenting low values immediately before the bungee-jump.A high-stress situation impacted risk-taking but not inhibition in decision-making, associated with heightened arousal and affective valence. Anticipatory effects emerged significantly in decision-making and affective states. Furthermore, participants exhibited increased confidence in approaching subsequent tasks post - bungee - jump. Therefore, high-stress situations may enhance pre-action self-efficacy, although potential implications for riskier decision-making should be acknowledged

Cognitive psychology · Crossover · Crossover study · Developmental psychology · Jump · Physics · Clinical Psychology · Computer Science · Medicine · Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports · Psychology · Social Psychology · Sport Psychology and Performance · Youth Development and Social Support · Artificial Intelligence

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