Characteristics of challenging situations: two policy-capturing studies

摘要

Purpose Although the appraisal of a situation as challenging has positive effects on performance and stress-related outcomes, the situational and individual characteristics that make challenge appraisal likely are far from clear. The purpose of this paper is to test these characteristics based on a review of the conceptualizations of challenge and the associated positive effects. Design/methodology/approach Potential characteristics of challenge are tested in two policy-capturing studies using a full factorial experimental design. Findings Results reveal that situations are appraised as more challenging than threatening when goal importance, task difficulty and controllability are high rather than low. Originality/value This paper provides a first experimental test of characteristics of challenging situations.