Determinants of evaluation of team performance

Abstract.— The purpose of this study was to examine factors affecting the evaluation of the achievement behavior of a group . Subjects were asked to play the role of team members who have to convey their feedback to the whole team right after the performance. 214 subjects (males and females, high and low achievers) evaluated the achievement behavior of a group, a sports team. They were given knowledge of the group's performance outcomes (5 outcomes from clear win to clear loss), of the group's ability (yes or no) and of the effort (yes or no) expended by the group members. These factors yielded the 20 situations judged by each subject. In addition, half of the subjects evaluated a team performing under conditions of high competition and half under conditions of low competition. The results revealed that effort and outcome form major determinants of achievement judgments, but effects of these determinants depend on the joint influences of effort, outcome and ability. Need for achievement level of subjects and the type of situation did not affect achievement judgments. Overall, females were more rewarding among themselves than males in their own groups.