EFFECTS OF WIN-LOSS RATIO AND CHALLENGE ON SPEED IN A 2-PERSON LEVER-PRESSING RACE

Tested 60 male graduate students in 50 short races against a programed opponent (O). The S won either 10 (W10), 50 (W50), or 90% (W90) of the races under high challenge (all races close) or low challenge. Although the immediate effect of winning was a reduction in response speed on the following trial, average total speed increased directly with the frequency of winning. Challenge had no effect on W90 Ss. The W50 Ss responded faster under high challenge, while W10 Ss responded faster under low-challenge conditions. High-challenge, evenly matched Os (W50) tend to be most attractive as future competitors, whereas highly victorious Os (W10) are less desirable as future competitors than highly defeated Os (W90). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1969 American Psychological Association.