'Power of we': Effects of motivational self-talk and synchrony on performance, efficacy beliefs, and sense of unity in dyadic exercise

This dissertation investigated the effects of `individual-focused' versus `group-focused' self-talk and synchrony on performance, self-efficacy, collective efficacy, and sense of unity in a dyadic exercise setting. Additionally, this study sought to identify whether individualist and collectivist orientations influence the way in which self-talk strategies enhance performance and one's beliefs about one's own and one's team's capabilities. Previous research found that group-focused self-talk was effective in enhancing performance and both self- and collective efficacy (Son, Jackson, Grove, & Feltz, 2011). Synchrony research has also demonstrated its positive impact on fostering relative team outcomes (e.g., relationship quality, sense of unity, and satisfaction; Vacharkulksemsuk & Fredrickson, 2011; Wiltermuth & Heath, 2009). Participants were 346 undergraduate students who were randomly assigned to a same-gender dyad. Dyads were allocated to one of 12 conditions in a 3 (self-talk condition: I version, we version, control) x 2 (synchrony: synchronous activity, asynchronous activity) x 2 (task type: additive, coactive condition) x 2 (block) design with repeated measures on the last factor. Participants completed one block of an abdominal plank exercise alone and the second as a part of a dyad. Participants also completed questionnaires regarding their individualistic and collectivistic orientations, self-efficacy, collective efficacy, and sense of unity. Between the two blocks a self-talk intervention was implemented. Using ANCOVAs with baseline measures as a covariate, although no significant effects for individualistic or collectivistic orientations were found, participants using individual-oriented self-talk reported greater performance improvement compared to those in the control condition. Stronger sense of self-efficacy and greater enjoyment in working as a group was found in the group-focused self-talk condition compared to the control condition. Individuals in the additive condition reported greater performance improvement and higher levels of collective efficacy than did those in the coactive condition. Lastly, synchrony produced greater performance improvement and stronger sense of unity compared to the asynchrony condition. Findings of the study contribute to the self-talk and synchrony literature in team sport and exercise contexts and how these strategies can be effectively implemented to enhance performance and efficacy beliefs.