An inch away from being mentally tough: Performance bias in ratings of mental toughness.

Are assessments of an athlete's mental toughness influenced by how that athlete performs in a single moment game? We conducted three experimental studies to address this question and conclude the answer is yes. In each study, sports fans (total N = 1,097) read scenarios depicted mentally tough basketball player, either describing player as having many qualities (Study 1), or stating had been identified being expert sport psychologist (Studies 2 3). Participants then was about take championship-winning shot were randomly assigned learn successful unsuccessful. Moreover, Studies 1 participants learned outcome decisive (i.e., perfect swish air ball) indecisive ball hitting backboard, rim and, eventually, going not into basket). despite learning very tough, participants' ratings depended on whether successful. Ratings also sensitive way which attained: decreased linear pattern with highest following success, lowest failure. Overall, research supports criticism are distorted moment.Acknowledgments: Social Sciences Humanities Research Council Canada