Self-consciousness, perceived evaluation, and performance of a continuous motor task

Abstract

According to some authors, highly self-conscious individuals are susceptible to performance breakdown in the presence of an evaluative audience (e.g., Maxwell, Masters, & Poolton, 2006), whereas other authors report less susceptibility (e.g., Baumeister, 1984). Previous studies have provided these contrasting results using discrete tasks. The aim of the current study was to ascertain whether self-consciousness is associated with changes to continuous task performance (simulated driving) in the presence and absence of an evaluative passenger, and to elucidate the direction of this relationship. Participants, classified as either high or low self-conscious (n = 14 in each group), performed seven 5-minute trials on a driving simulator. The first six trials (Practice Phase) were performed alone, whereas, the final trial (Observation Phase) was performed whilst observed. During the Practice Phase high self-conscious drivers were recorded engaging in riskier driving behaviours, relative to low self-conscious drivers. During the Observation Phase, high self-conscious drivers still displayed riskier driving behaviours than did low self-conscious drivers despite both groups' attempts to control the speed of their vehicles. The results imply that high trait self-consciousness, rather than low, appears to be associated with poorer task performance under both evaluative and non-evaluative conditions.