Effects of telic dominance and metamotivational state on squash task performance

Measures of telic dominance and metamotivational state were obtained from 40 volunteer males grouped on the basis of their playing ability, before and after the performance of squash tasks. Utilising a mixed-blocks design, which controlled for order of task, subjects were required to perform two squash tasks of differing difficulty. Significant differences between groups on performance were obtained, confirming the ability classification, but no significant differences in telic dominance were found. Significant increases in mood response in the telic direction were found on pre- and posttask scores. A significant decrease in discrepancy scores (preferred arousal minus felt arousal) obtained pre- and posttask was noted, together with a significant interaction between skill level and in arousal discrepancy pre- and posttask. In all cases trends were least for the most skilled group.