Perceptions and Responses of High-and Low-Competitive Trait-Anxious Males to Competition

This experiment investigated the manner in which high- and low-competitive trait-anxious men perceive an evaluative competition situation compared with a noncompetition situation, and how they respond to competition. Specifically, the perception of threat to self-esteem was examined as indicated by state anxiety. State anxiety was measured at rest, during noncompetition, and while competing against an opponent of equal ability. Responses included whether the men preferred performing in the noncompetition or competition situation, and whether they sought comparative appraisal information regarding their motoric competence through opponent selection. The findings revealed that high-competitive trait-anxious men perceived greater personal threat during competition than low-anxious men, but that both groups preferred performing in the competition situation and sought evaluative ability information by selecting opponents of equal or greater relative ability. These results, combined with the findings of two other studies, indicate more clearly the type of individual who seeks out the evaluative ability information inherent in the competitive experience, regardless of how personally threatening it may be.