Soldiers often react automatically during a battle because of their training. What would happen if they paused to think about what they were doing?
I think they would just get shot by their enemies. Is there anything else I can add to that?
They might be so scared, they couldn't move or follow orders. They might also realize they were going against the moral principles of their society, and not be able to kill the enemy.
Oh, I never thought about it that way, thank you so much Ms. Sue.
When under stress, only responses that have been overlearned (practiced repeatedly even after they have been learned so they become essentially automatic), will be performed.
This overlearning principle is used when training for sports too. However, many students fail to use overlearning when studying for exams. This is why cramming is ineffective. Since the material is not overlearned, much of the material learned the previous night cannot be recalled under the stress of taking the exam.
I hope this helps a little more. Thanks for asking.
Yes, you can provide a more comprehensive explanation by considering the concept of "muscle memory" and the role it plays in soldiers' training. Here's how you can further explain it:
Soldiers undergo rigorous training to develop what is commonly referred to as "muscle memory." This is a term used to describe the automatic and unconscious physical responses that soldiers acquire through extensive practice and repetition of various military drills and maneuvers.
During intense combat situations, soldiers rely on their muscle memory to react quickly and effectively, without the need for conscious thought. This is crucial because battles often occur at high speed and under immense stress, where split-second decisions and actions can be a matter of life or death.
If soldiers were to pause and deliberately think about every action they took during a battle, it would slow down their response time significantly. This delay could result in missed opportunities, making them more vulnerable to enemy attacks. It's important to note that enemies on the battlefield are constantly observing and seeking to exploit any lapse in an opponent's reaction time.
Therefore, the automatic nature of soldiers' responses due to their training and muscle memory is designed to increase their survival and combat effectiveness. By relying on their training, soldiers can react almost instinctively, executing the actions required to complete their mission and neutralize threats more efficiently.
However, it is also worth mentioning that soldiers are trained to adapt and think critically when necessary. While their automatic reactions serve as the foundation, they are also equipped with the ability to assess changing situations, make informed decisions, and adjust their actions accordingly. This balance between instinctive response and critical thinking is key to their success on the battlefield.