Motivational determinants of decision-making in a triadic coalition game
McGaffey, Thomas Neal
McGaffey, Thomas Neal
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1976
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McGaffey, T. N. (1976). Motivational Determinants of Decision-Making in a Triadic Coalition Game. The Journal of General Psychology, 94(2), 167–185. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221309.1976.9711605
Abstract
A triadic coalition game was structured as an achievement-oriented situation by inclusion of a skill-based game task. Deductions regarding coalition partner choices were derived from Atkinsons' model of achievement motivation with the expectation that achievement-oriented players (Ms < Maf) would prefer moderate-risk strategy options while failure-avoidant players (Maf < Ms) would avoid moderate-risk strategies. Observation was made of the coalition partner preferences of 126 college sophomore males and females who played the game in same-sex triads. The Ss were categorized into motive configuration groups on the basis of scores derived from the Test of Insight and the Test Anxiety Questionnaire. The results were supportive of the hypotheses, since the Ms < Maf group chose moderate-risk coalition options more frequently than did the Maf < Ms group. By contrast the Maf < Ms group chose low-risk strategies and tended to avoid moderate-risk coalition options. While other coalition-game studies have shown differences in strategy behavior between males and females, sex differences did not occur in the present game. The lack of sex differences was explained by the high level of concern for winning among members of both sexes generated by the achievement nature of the game task. © 1976 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
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Taylor & Francis
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Journal of General Psychology
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00221309