Comparison of Postperformance State Anxiety of Internals and Externals Following Failure or Success on a Simple Motor Task

Abstract

The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to determine the effect of locus of control (internal-external), success-failure, and trait anxiety (A-trait) on the perception of threat to self following competitive motor performance, as measured by postperformance state anxiety (A-state); and (b) to examine effects of success-failure relative to locus of control, as measured by self-protective answers on a postperformance attribution questionnaire. In addition, postperformance A-state relative to number of internal attributions was investigated. Two groups of subjects (N = 32) satisfying the criteria for internal-external control were subdivided by sex and randomly assigned to success-failure conditions. A-trait and preperformance A-state were assessed by the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) prior to the experimental treatment, and A-state measurement was repeated following the experimental treatment. Multivariate analysis of covariance revealed significant interaction effects of success-failure and locus of control relative to postperformance A-state. Univariate ANOVA revealed that externals were significantly higher on A-trait than internals. Regression analyses showed significant relationships for A-trait and pre- and postperformance A-state, as well as for relationship of postperformance A-state to number of internal attributions.