Working under pressure....

Life is full of pressures, some large, some small, some about money, some about time, some about competition for resources. Pressure is part of life, it is one of the key drivers of environmental evolution and is a part not simply of all human life, but all life. If we think of the word pressure, and what it means we can imagine a great weight crushing us, but it is far more subtle than that. Pressure can be a gentle breeze, barely noticable, but with a perceptible effect, or it can be the crushing pressure of the ocean depths. Through our ingenuity and inventiveness we, as a species have been able to design and develop methods of surviving on the ocean floor under almost mind boggling pressures of hundreds of tons per square inch, and in the vacuum of space where there is almost no pressure at all. These are methods of dealing with physical pressure, but the principle surely applies in much the same way to psychological pressure. Some people seem to be able to glide through life largely unaffected by even the most severe pressure, whilst other crumble under something that may at first glance appear relatively trivial. It is my contention that by applying the same principles as used to deal with physical pressure it should be possible to find better ways of dealing with other pressures.

If we think of the developments in both space, and sub-oceanic exploration we can see that there was analysis of the problem, measurements of the parameters, materials testing, safety considerations, planning, testing, modifying and improving, pushing the boudaries of exploration step by step. I wonder if it is possible to address psychological pressure in the same way. Can we quantify pressure in the same way. What psychological pressure is applied by the loss of a parent say? or by the loss of a job? The problem as I perceive it is that the effect is not static. If anyone dives into the ocean and swims deeper and deeper the pressure increases at a known rate, and consequently the effects on the human body can be mapped and understood, and traeted accordingly. When we move to consider psychological pressure the way that we each as individuals respond to a set amount of pressure will be variable based on our existing coping mechanisms, our experiences and our perceptions. This situation is further complicated by the issue of perception of pressure. What I perceive as being low pressure may differ from yours. If we are both given the same time critical task lets say, but I have a more confident attitude to the task than you, I may perhaps perceive the task as being less pressured than you do.

However these are primarily issues around defining variables, and given the progress made in working with chaotic systems using advances in computing power, I would suggest that these are not insurmountable. Given the damage caused to society be people failing to cope with pressure, isn't it time we gave serious thought to investment in this research? Just a thought......