On the relativistic nature of predicted and real physical experiences: A field experiment. (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Slawinska, Malgorzata M.; Papaioannou, Athanasios G.; Chatzisarantis, Nikos L.D.; Hatzigeorgiadis, Antonis; Davis, Paul A.
• Is Part Of: Psychology of sport and exercise. Volume 16:Part 3 (2015:Jan.)
• Page Start: 106
• Page End: 111
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: Evaluation mode -- Affective responses -- Predicted experience -- Real experience; Sports -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Exercise -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; Sports -- Periodicals; Exercise -- Periodicals; Societies, Medical -- Periodicals; Psychology; Sports; Exercise; Societies, Medical; Sports -- Aspect psychologique -- Périodiques; Exercice -- Aspect psychologique -- Périodiques; 613.71019
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2014.10.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1469-0292

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: An important yet unresolved question stemming from judgment and decision-making literature is whether individuals evaluate physical experiences in relative or absolute terms. Design and method: The study examined 181 experienced basketball players in a 2 (type of experience: predicted versus real) × 2 (evaluation mode: separate versus joint) × 2 (type of activity: running versus shooting) experimental research design. Results: We demonstrated that individuals who were familiar with physical tasks evaluated predicted and real physical experiences in absolute terms. In addition, we showed that relativistic modes of evaluation applied to real physical experiences but not predicted physical experiences. Conclusions: This research contributes to the debate concerning whether prior task experience influences formation of relative evaluations, and reveals that contexts that urge for relative evaluations undermine happiness with physical tasks. Highlights: Experienced athletes are prone to evaluate real physical tasks in relative terms. Relative evaluations can undermine athletes' collective happiness and motivation. Homogeneity in task assignment moderate the impact of task characteristics on perceived happiness and satisfaction.