The startle reflex and stress response are core biological and psychological realities that directly affect whether someone can even access their physical skills in a real-life encounter. Yet, they are often overlooked because: 1. They’re not well understood by instructors, especially those without a background in physiology, neuroscience, or behavioral psychology. 2. They’re hard to replicate in training without inducing real fear, chaos, or uncertainty – conditions that are difficult (and risky) to simulate in a classroom. 3. They challenge the myth of perfect technique. Under stress, fine motor skills degrade, tunnel vision kicks in, auditory exclusion occurs, and decision-making narrows. This means the most “perfect technique” goes out the window unless it’s been trained under pressure.
Startle Reflex + Stress Response – Similar but not the Same
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