The competition–performance relation: a meta-analytic review and test of the opposing processes model of competition and performance

Murayama, K. and Elliot, A. J. (2012) The competition–performance relation: a meta-analytic review and test of the opposing processes model of competition and performance. Psychological bulletin, 138 (6). pp. 1035-1070. ISSN 1939-1455 doi: 10.1037/a0028324

Abstract/Summary

What is the relation between competition and performance? The present research addresses this important multidisciplinary question by conducting a meta-analysis of existing empirical work and by proposing a new conceptual model—the opposing processes model of competition and performance. This model was tested by conducting an additional meta-analysis and 3 new empirical studies. The first meta-analysis revealed that there is no noteworthy relation between competition and performance. The second meta-analysis showed, in accord with the opposing processes model, that the absence of a direct effect is the result of inconsistent mediation via achievement goals: Competition prompts performance-approach goals which, in turn, facilitate performance; and competition also prompts performance-avoidance goals which, in turn, undermine performance. These same direct and mediational findings were also observed in the 3 new empirical studies (using 3 different conceptualizations of competition and attending to numerous control variables). Our findings provide both interpretational clarity regarding past research and conceptual guidance regarding future research on the competition–performance relation.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/33980
Item Type	Article
Refereed	No
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Department of Psychology Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Development Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Language and Cognition Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Social
Uncontrolled Keywords	attainment goal structure productivity reward structure rivalry competition performance performance-approach performance-avoidance Human Male Female Adulthood (18 yrs & older) Work and Family Orientation scale Law, Elliot, and Murayama’s (2012) four-item General Perceived Competence measure Elliot and Murayama’s (2008) achievement goal measure SAT ( Scholastic Aptitude Test) Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding Empirical Study Meta Analysis Quantitative Study Goals Approach Behavior Avoidance Goal Orientation Rewards Achievement US article 2300:Human Experimental Psychology 3020:Group & Interpersonal Processes
Publisher	American Psychological Association
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