Regulatory Focus and Rivalry:

Actualization of the Ideal Self and Motivation From the Existence of Rivals

Abstract

  The present study investigated correlations between regulatory focus and relationships with rivals, examining whether people with promotion-focused traits tend to develop rival relationships and benefit from such relationships compared to people with prevention-focused traits, and whether differences in regulatory focus might affect performance, mediated by the effect of rivals. In both Study 1 and Study 2, the participants, male and female university athletes, completed questionnaires. In Study 1 (N=188), the word "rival" was employed. The results indicated that the athletes with promotion-focused traits tended to actualize their ideal self and became encouraged and motivated by relationships with rivals, and predicted self-efficacy for performance through encouraging motivation. Study 2 (N=105) was an attempt to verify the results of Study 1 without employing the word "rival". The results nearly reproduced the results of Study 1. The results of both studies were consistent with the hypothesis made prior to the research. Moreover, the presence or number of rivals was not significantly correlated with regulatory focus. Finally, the characteristics of others suitable for individuals with prevention-focused traits were examined. The discussion deals with future issues and perspectives.