A Comparison of the Effects of Sex, Competition, and Ability on a Perceptual Motor Task

Abstract

College male and female subjects (N = 60) competed with opposite and same sex opponents on a rotary pursuit tracking task. Pretesting allowed the task to be learned and provided ability grouping for pairing under subsequent treatment conditions. The competitive motive was induced by offering a monetary reward to every three subjects for the highest individual total score achieved under three treatments. Testing was conducted against a same sex opponent, an opposite sex opponent, and with no opponent present. Subjects competed for a one dollar reward only with their two coacting opponents. The results indicated significant differences in performance in terms of sex, treatments, and a sex by treatments interaction. Males performed better than females (P < .01) while treatment effects were significant (P < .01) with same sex < cross sex < no opponent. Significant differences found between sexes in terms of treatment are presented in the discussion of results.