| Abstrakt: |
University-level softball players (n = 120) from NCAA Divisions I and II were given a packet containing a scenario and picture of an upcoming opponent. The pictures were digitally manipulated differing only in uniform base color (i.e., black, navy blue, red, royal blue, yellow, and kelly green). Participants made ratings relative to the perceptions they formed of the team and how they would feel if they were competing against them. Data were first screened for differences on the dependent variables according to playing position, win/loss record, division, and actual uniform color worn by the participants. For perceptions of the opponents' confidence, win ning/losing team was significant and subsequent analyses showed significant main effects for this variable and uniform color. Participants on losing teams rated the athletes' and the teams' confidence higher than participants on winning teams, and the team shown in red was rated significantly higher in confidence compared with those in royal blue and yellow. Related to the perceptions the participants formed of the teams, the team wearing the yellow uniforms was most associated with the more negative attributes (results were significant for 9 adjective pairs). The black uniformed team was rated the "meanest," whereas the red uniformed team was the "strongest." For how the athletes would feel if they were competing against the team in the picture, whether they were on a winning or losing team was significant so it was included in a 2 (winning/losing team) x 6 (uniform color) MANOVA. Only the main effect for winning/losing was significant, showing that if they were playing this team, athletes from winning teams would feel less intimidated, competitive, focused than athletes on losing teams. The results show that the color of uniforms affect athletes' perceptions of opponents, that both uniform color and athletes' own experiences (i.e., winning/losing) affect athletes' perceptions of opponents' confidence, and that athletes' experiences more strongly affect their feelings relative to upcoming competitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
