This dissertation investigated the moderating effects of self- and other-efficacy on the Köhler motivation gain effect in swimming relays. The study was an extension of the motivation gain literature in sport. The Köhler effect has been found to promote motivation gains for inferior group members when participating with moderately more capable partners. Self-efficacy research has also demonstrated a strong relationship with performance in sport. However, research on efficacy beliefs about others in one's group indicates other efficacy may be a stronger predictor of performance compared to self-efficacy (Dunlop, Beatty, & Beauchamp, 2011). Participants were 199 swimmers at the Division II and III levels who swam the 200, 400, or 800 yard freestyle relay at their fall invitational meets. Both relay times performed at the meet as well as individual best times for each participant were collected. Participants also completed questionnaires regarding their self- and other efficacy beliefs of their relay performances. Using an HLM cross-classified model, the results indicated that the fourth ranked member performed faster in the relay compared to their individual performance, demonstrating a motivation gain. Further, under conditions of high self- or other efficacy, this effect was modified by gender. In female relays, only the fourth ranked member showed a motivation gain, while in male relays both the third and fourth ranked relay member demonstrated a motivation gain. Findings of the study contribute to the motivation gain literature in sport and how both self- and other efficacy can successfully change performance of weaker relay members.
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