You might be interested in the FAA "Aviation Instructors Handbook" which has some basic material on learning and psychology as it relates to (student) pilots. Fear narrows the perceptual field was the most interesting aspect to me.
I think humans have a many and varied reaction to dangerous situations, such as a stopped/broken engine in an airplane and this should be carefully and fully trained out and replaced with a reasoned and thorough response using checklists and knowledge to best resolve the situation.
I experienced a partial engine failure in a 172, and after it went bang, I probably froze for a couple of seconds (why me !?!?!?!) before I started dealing with the problem ...
o Aviate !
o Navigate !
o Communicate !