Personality Predicting Performance under Pressure (PPPP) (PPPP)

Basic data for this project

Description

Whether in exams, competitions, stage performances, presentations, job interviews or speeches - both, in our professional and private life we again and again experience situations, in which we feel under pressure, because the situation calls for optimal performance. Performances in such situations are decisive for success and failure, for victory and defeat, for opened and closed doors within our biographies. Within the PPPP-study we investigate performances in pressure situations, especially motor performances (darts, mini golf, and hot wire). Above all we are interested in the answer to the question, which expressions of personality characteristics facilitate vs. hinder successful performances under pressure. Specifically, we investigate in how far the presence of pressure vs. absence of pressure influences motor performances in how far the presence of pressure vs. absence of pressure influences affect, performance expectations, and behaviour in how far personality traits contribute to the prediction of performance under the presence of pressure and under the absence of pressure, in how far personality states (e.g., affect and behavior) contribute to the prediction of performance under the presence of pressure and under the absence of pressure, and how performance under the presence of pressure and under the absence of pressure is attributed. In the centre of our study is a video-recorded laboratory-based assessment, in which all participants complete the three motor tasks in two conditions (absence of pressure, presence of pressure), respectively. Pressure is manipulated via a combination of a cover story, a competition, and an additional video-recording. Before each condition, participants report on their state affect and their performance expectation and after each task on their attribution. Before the approximately one-hour lab assessment, participants complete an online questionnaire. Self- and acquaintance-reports are obtained regarding (potentially) relevant personality characteristics, information on experiences with pressure situations, and the competence level with regard to the three tasks at hand and other skills.