Shifts in Adaptation: The Effects of Self-Efficacy and Task Difficulty Perception

• Other Authors: Sides, Ryan (authoraut)
• Format: Others
• Language: English; English
• Published: Florida State University
• Subjects: Psychology; Cognitive psychology
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_2015fall_Sides_fsu_0071N_12978

The purpose of this study was to explore adaptation through the manipulation of perceived task difficulty and self-efficacy to challenge the concepts postulated by the two-perception probabilistic concept of the adaptation phenomenon (TPPCA) conceptual framework. The TPPCA considers the sources of perceived task difficulty (δi) and self-efficacy (βv) as the core relationship that influences adaptation. Twenty-four participants were randomized into one of 4-order groups to manipulate the level of difficulty for a handgrip and putting task. Within each task, 3 separate difficulty levels were presented to each participant in a counterbalanced order. The order of tasks and difficulty levels was counterbalanced between each of the 4-order groups. The performers completed both tasks, at each of the 3 difficulty levels, to assess their δi and βv gap effect on motivations, affect, and performances. The perceptual gap between δi and βv envisioned in the TPPCA was partially confirmed in both the handgrip and putting tasks. Specifically, as the task difficulty level increased, βv [less than] δi resulted in increased arousal and decreased pleasantness, along with declined performance. There was no solid support that motivational adaptations were congruent with the TPPCA. The theoretical and practical implications of the study are discussed along with suggestions for future research. === A Thesis submitted to the Department of Educational Psychology and Learning Systems in partial fulfillment of the Master of Science. === Fall Semester 2015. === November 10, 2015. === Adaptation, Athletics, Performers, Self-efficacy, Sport psychology, Task difficulty perception === Includes bibliographical references. === Gershon Tenenbaum, Professor Directing Thesis; Graig Chow, Committee Member; Allan Jeong, Committee Member.