The process by which athletes assimilate into their sports teams and the effect this has on their performance.

Abstract

This study examines the process by which athletes assimilate into their teams and the effect that the assimilation process has on effort towards individual and team performance assessments. It was hypothesized that participants’ levels of effort during team assessments would increase with increasing time on their teams, indicating a shift in cognitive categorization of that team from a task group to an intimacy group. Participants completed up to three questionnaires over two months to determine the relationship between time as a team member, level of social identification with that team, and the levels of effort exerted, pressure experienced, and perceived importance of assessments. No relationship was found between effort exerted and time, however significant effects were found linking other elements.