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Characteristics of challenging situations: two policy-capturing studies

Characteristics of challenging situations: two policy-capturing studies Although the appraisal of a situation as challenging has positive effects on performance and stress-related outcomes, the situational and individual characteristics that make challenge appraisal likely are far from clear. The purpose of this paper is to test these characteristics based on a review of the conceptualizations of challenge and the associated positive effects.Design/methodology/approachPotential characteristics of challenge are tested in two policy-capturing studies using a full factorial experimental design.FindingsResults reveal that situations are appraised as more challenging than threatening when goal importance, task difficulty and controllability are high rather than low.Research limitations/implicationsThese results indicate that challenge and threat are distinguished through the means a person believes to have available to cope with demands, an aspect of controllability.Originality/valueThis paper provides a first experimental test of characteristics of challenging situations. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of Managerial Psychology Emerald Publishing

Characteristics of challenging situations: two policy-capturing studies

Ohly, Sandra
Journal of Managerial Psychology , Volume 34 (3): 14 – Jun 11, 2019
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Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
© Emerald Publishing Limited
ISSN
0268-3946
DOI
10.1108/jmp-06-2018-0232
Publisher site
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Abstract

Although the appraisal of a situation as challenging has positive effects on performance and stress-related outcomes, the situational and individual characteristics that make challenge appraisal likely are far from clear. The purpose of this paper is to test these characteristics based on a review of the conceptualizations of challenge and the associated positive effects.Design/methodology/approachPotential characteristics of challenge are tested in two policy-capturing studies using a full factorial experimental design.FindingsResults reveal that situations are appraised as more challenging than threatening when goal importance, task difficulty and controllability are high rather than low.Research limitations/implicationsThese results indicate that challenge and threat are distinguished through the means a person believes to have available to cope with demands, an aspect of controllability.Originality/valueThis paper provides a first experimental test of characteristics of challenging situations.

Journal

Journal of Managerial Psychology – Emerald Publishing

Published: Jun 11, 2019

Keywords: Well-being; Stress; Motivation

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