The Observer Effect (Or… The Camera Curse)
I was watching a Call of Duty streamer recently — haha yeah, I know… grow up.
But good performance ideas don’t care where they come from.
He said something interesting:
“When I know lots of people are watching the stream, I start playing more entertaining. I make worse decisions.”
Not because he forgets how to play.
Not because his skill drops.
Because his objective changes.
Instead of:
“Make the best decision for the situation.”
It becomes:
“Make something fun to watch.”
That shift is subtle.
And it can be dangerous — especially if the skill isn’t fully stabilised yet.
The Snowboard Version
We’ve all seen it.
Someone rides great all morning.
Clean turns, rad tricks.
Good timing.
Solid decisions.
Then someone says:
“Hey, I’m filming.”
Suddenly:
• They ride harder than they need to
• They stiffen up
• They try something new
• They rush
• They over-send
Nothing changed physically.
Only this:
They became aware they were being observed.
The Real Observer Effect
In physics, the observer effect refers to how measuring a system can influence its behaviour.
In performance psychology, there’s a similar phenomenon called social facilitation.
Research shows:
Being observed improves performance on well-learned skills
But worsens performance on new or unstable ones
So the camera isn’t the problem.
Instability is the problem.
If a skill is automated → pressure sharpens it.
If a skill is fragile → pressure exposes it.
That’s the “camera curse.”
What Actually Changes Under Pressure?
When you feel watched, your brain shifts toward evaluation.
Instead of:
“What does this situation require?”
It becomes:
“How do I look?”
“What will they think?”
“Should I go bigger?”
That shift moves attention from task focus to self focus.
And flow — the performance zone — requires the opposite.
Flow thrives on:
• Clear task goals
• Immediate feedback
• Challenge matching skill
• Reduced self-consciousness
Being observed increases self-consciousness.
Unless you manage it.
The Difference Between Crumbling and Elevating
High performers don’t ignore pressure.
They reinterpret it.
Pressure increases arousal — heart rate, adrenaline, focus chemicals like dopamine and norepinephrine.
If interpreted as threat → performance tightens.
If interpreted as challenge → performance sharpens.
Steven Kotler talks about this in The Rise of Superman — consequence can amplify performance, but only if you stay absorbed in the task.
The difference isn’t courage.
It’s objective.
The Objective Reset Drill
When you know you’re being watched or filmed:
Ask yourself:
“What’s my job here?”
Not:
“Snowboard good!”
But:
“Clean edge change.”
“Patience into catch.”
“Stay tall into takeoff.”
Next, shrink it to one process cue.
One.
Then, reframe the pressure:
Instead of:
“They’re watching me.”
Shift to:
“This sharpens me.”
Observation amplifies what’s stable.
So stabilise your focus.
The Real Takeaway
Being watched doesn’t ruin performance.
Changing your objective does.
If you shift from executing the task
to managing how you appear in-front of others,
You’ve already left the performance zone.
The best runs I’ve had weren’t when I was trying to impress.
They were when I was completely absorbed in what the moment required.
When the camera comes out, don’t change the game.
Just play it better.
— Cam
