“… been down so long …”: Perpetual vs. intermittent inferiority and the Köhler group motivation gain in exercise groups.

Abstract

Prior research has documented the Kohler motivation gain effect—working with a more capable partner at a task that makes one’s performance indispensible for the group can boost task motivation. Recent research has shown that the Kohler effect can boost one’s persistence exercising in groups, but that always being the group’s “weak link” can eventually undermine these motivation gains. An experiment is reported that contrasts having a partner who is more capable on all/both exercise tasks with one who is more capable on the focal task, but inferior on the second task. The Kohler effect on the focal task was replicated and unmoderated by the uniformity of the partner’s exercise superiority. Implications for further research and application are discussed.