Document Type : Research Paper I Open Access I Released under CC BY-NC 4.0 license
Authors
Department of Motor Behavior, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran
Abstract
Background: Stereotype threat and perceived competence are socio-cognitive variables that can greatly impact individuals' cognitive and motor performance. This research aimed to investigate the role of perceived competence, a psychological characteristicthat develops during childhood, in mitigating the effects of gender stereotype threat on the learning of pétanque throwing skills.
Method: Sixty female student volunteers, with a mean age of 13.22 ± 0.99 years, were divided into four groups based on their scores on the Perceived Motor Competence Questionnaire and the presence or absence of stereotype threat. During the acquisition phase, the participants executed 60 pétanque throws across 10 blocks of six trials each. The stereotype threat groups received written instructions regarding stereotype threats at the start of each trial and again in the third trial as a reminder. The retention test was conducted 24 hours after the acquisition phase, without the introduction of stereotype threat instructions. Following this, the transfer test took place 10 minutes later in front of an audience.
Result: The results indicated that gender stereotype threat significantly impaired motor learning in individuals with low perceived competence, while its effect on motor learning in individuals with high perceived competence is not statistically significant.
Conclusion: The findings of the current study suggest that high perceived competence may serve as a strategy to mitigate the harmful effects of stereotype threat. It seems that individuals with high perceived competence can lessen the negative impacts of stereotype threat owing to their increased self-efficacy.
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