Sequential effects in Olympic synchronized diving scores

(Sequenzielle Effekte der Wertungen im olympischen Synchronspringen)

When judging performances in a sequence, the current score is often influenced by the preceding score. Where athletes are perceived to be similar, a judgement is assimilated towards the previous one. However, if judges focus on the differences between the two athletes, this will result in a contrasting influence on their scores. Here, I investigate sequential effects during synchronized diving events at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games. Although previous research found assimilation in scores of gymnasts, the current data showed contrast effects—current scores benefited from following a poor performance but were at a disadvantage if they followed a high-scoring performance. One explanation may be that the processes involved in judging synchronized pairs results in a focus on the differences between athletes, producing a contrast effect across dives. That the specific direction of this sequential bias may depend on the particular sport has implications for how judges might approach their roles in a context-dependent manner, as well as how such biases should be addressed.
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Schlagworte: Wasserspringen Synchronspringen Bewertung Hochleistungssport Leistungssport Olympische Sommerspiele 2016 Olympische Sommerspiele 2012
Notationen: technische Sportarten
DOI: 10.1098/rsos.160812
Veröffentlicht in: Royal Society Open Science
Veröffentlicht: 2017
Jahrgang: 4
Heft: 160812
Seiten: 1-9
Dokumentenarten: Artikel
Sprache: Englisch
Level: hoch