The Effects of Direct and Indirect Competition on Children's State Anxiety

This study was designed to determine if postcompetition state anxiety differences exist among groups of children experiencing various competitive conditions. Forty-eight boys, ranging in age from 9–12 years, were randomly assigned to either direct (competition against an opponent) or indirect competition (competition against a goal) pairings on a modified TV pong game. Subjects experienced either success or failure under one of two reward conditions: contingent (reward for winning) or noncontingent (reward for participation). Postcompetition anxiety was assessed by the Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory for Children. As in prior investigations, losers exhibited significantly higher postcompetition state anxiety than winners. Subjects in the direct competition group had significantly higher anxiety scores than those in the indirect competition condition. However, no state anxiety differences were found as a function of reward contingency.