A psychological model of competitive behavior: social comparison as a mediator of the critical thinking, self-efficacy, and adaptation ability prediction among college students

Influence of competitive attitude and self-efficacy on task motivation in vocational high school students: the moderating role of competitive environment in the context of 'Lying Flat' culture

Introduction

In recent years, "lying flat" has emerged as a significant term in contemporary discourse, referring to the phenomenon where modern young people choose passive resistance due to a lack of motivation when facing various situations. These trends have the potential to diminish the future learning enthusiasm and holistic development of vocational high school students, thus impacting their competitiveness in the future job market.

Methods

This study employs a motivational model for vocational high school students based on self-efficacy theory and person-environment fit theory to explore whether the competitive atmosphere moderates the impact of self-efficacy and competitive attitudes on task motivation. Using a secondary data research approach, the study analyzed a sample of 944 Taiwanese vocational high school students from the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) dataset with Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM).

Results

The results indicate that self-efficacy and competitive attitudes positively influence task motivation. Additionally, self-efficacy not only enhances competitive attitudes but also indirectly influences task motivation through the mediation of competitive attitudes. The study also revealed that the moderating effect of the competitive environment was not statistically significant in the overall sample. Further multiple-group comparisons between male and female vocational high school students showed no significant differences in most paths, but gender differences emerged in the positive moderating effect of the competitive environment on the influence of competitive attitudes on task motivation.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that in cultivating task motivation among vocational high school students, interventions should be tailored to accommodate the differing responses of male and female students. For female students, providing more opportunities for teamwork and utilizing collaborative approaches to cope with the competitive environment may enhance task motivation. Conversely, for male students, enhancing self-efficacy and stimulating intrinsic competitive attitudes may be more effective. Addressing these differences could potentially reduce the occurrence of the "lying flat" phenomenon among vocational high school students in the future.

Are non-competitors greener? The effect of consumer awareness differences on green food consumption

Introduction

Green consumption plays a crucial role in mitigating environmental degradation. Governments and corporations are actively fostering the growth of green consumption. The escalating environmental issues have awakened consumers' environmental and competitive awareness, which significantly aids in increasing the probability of green food consumption.

Methods

This study, based on the Self-Consistency Theory and the Theory of Planned Behavior, constructs a model to analyze the effects of consumer competitive and environmental awareness on green food purchase intentions. Data from 700 consumer surveys were examined through structural equation modeling.

Results

Findings indicate that while consumer competitive awareness negatively impacts green self-efficacy and perceived control, environmental awareness has a positive effect. Green self-efficacy and perceived control both positively influence green food purchase intentions. Notably, competitive awareness has a more substantial negative impact on perceived control compared to green self-efficacy. In contrast, the positive influence of environmental awareness on green self-efficacy is stronger than on perceived control. Moreover, the effect of green self-efficacy on green food purchase intention is more pronounced than that of perceived control.

Discussion

Strategies like enhancing media publicity, educational initiatives, and improving purchase convenience can increase consumer purchase intentions. This study offers valuable insights for governments and businesses in understanding consumer psychology in green food consumption, aiding in marketing strategies for green food products.

Critical Thinking, Generalized Anxiety in Satisfaction with Studies: The Mediating Role of Academic Self-Efficacy in Medical Students

BACKGROUND

The academic and emotional challenges faced by medical students can affect critical thinking and may also contribute to the development of increased generalized anxiety. Similarly, critical thinking and generalized anxiety can impact study satisfaction through the mediating mechanism of academic self-efficacy.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the mediating role of academic self-efficacy between critical thinking and generalized anxiety in study satisfaction among medical students.

METHODS

A cross-sectional and explanatory study was conducted involving 259 Peruvian medical students aged between 18 and 35 (M = 20.29, SD = 2.84). The evaluation was based on self-reported questionnaires covering critical thinking, generalized anxiety, academic self-efficacy, and study satisfaction. Furthermore, a structural equation modeling (SEM) and mediation approach was employed to examine the relationships between variables.

RESULTS

The results showed an adequate fit of the model [χ2 (87) = 155, p < 0.001, CFI = 0.93, TLI = 0.92, RMSEA = 0.05 (CI: 0.04-0.07), SRMR = 0.07], demonstrating the impact of critical thinking and generalized anxiety. It was confirmed that academic self-efficacy has a positive effect on study satisfaction. Moreover, the mediating role of academic self-efficacy was confirmed between critical thinking and study satisfaction, as well as between generalized anxiety and study satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

Due to the high academic load on medical students, academic self-efficacy plays a mediating role in the relationship between critical thinking, generalized anxiety, and satisfaction with studies. The development of educational strategies will help to promote critical thinking and academic self-efficacy, as well as provide support to students with generalized anxiety, to enhance study satisfaction.