1. Introduction
Mistakes are perceived negatively because they cause negative emotions that require continuous adjustment [
1]. Recently, mistakes were reported as a concomitant process for future growth, and the importance of attitudes toward mistakes and the method of interpreting mistakes were highlighted [
2,
3,
4]. Perception of error, which is presented as a multidimensional concept (cognitive, emotional, behavioral), refers to an individual’s cognitive and motivational tendency to perceive and accept mistakes [
3]. According to the error-driven learning theory, mistakes are inevitable in the learning process [
5,
6], although using them positively can improve learning outcomes. Moreover, evidence supporting the justification for error perception in sports is presented [
4,
7].
Mistakes that occur in sports have been suggested to directly or indirectly affect the players’ cognitive and physical anxiety, negative emotions, and optimal level of arousal [
8]. Where a negative perception of error causes burnout in athletes, positive acceptance of mistakes is mentioned as a major factor that increases grit [
9], which refers to a person’s perseverance and enthusiasm for overcoming adversity [
10]. However, accumulated data on how the role and characteristics of perception of error affect athletes are lacking. Thus, continuously considering the causal model for the perception of error is necessary [
11].
The expectancy-value theory can be embedded in this context as a specific variable explained by the perception of error [
12,
13]. This theory describes the increases in the probability of achievement of individual behavioral characteristics and goals [
14], which directly affect one’s motivation for achievement and performance, as well as task selection [
14]. This expectancy value is a belief about how well an individual performs a given task. Thus, it is represented by the “expectation” for success, which refers to an individual’s cognitive motivation for the present and future, and “value,” which refers to characteristics that satisfy various needs, such as fun and pleasure, the importance of success, and sacrifice that accompanies training [
14]. Furthermore, it is an important factor that promotes the desire and challenge for task performance and changes not only the motivational aspect but also the cognitive and behavioral disposition of an individual [
12,
15,
16].
Immersion and a positive psychological state are formed when the perceived levels of challenge and skill that an individual experiences in a specific activity or task are balanced [
17]. This challenge is important because it is closely related to the achievement of goals, expectations of results, and grit. Thus, the challenge acts as a mechanism to promote the attributes related to personal success [
17,
18].
Siong et al. [
19] emphasized expectancy value as an important factor in promoting confidence, challenge, and motivation. Considering this theoretical background, perception of error may have a direct effect on expectancy value and the challenge, and expectancy value may also have a direct effect on the challenge. However, since most existing studies analyzing the relationship between error perception, expectancy value, and challenge reported only a one-dimensional relationship between independent and dependent variables to which regression analysis was applied, cases in which three variables are simultaneously set in the model and analyzed are limited.
Taekwondo athletes are required to select various offensive and defensive playing skills and tactics, and the psychological burden becomes an important factor in the training process for performance improvement and tactical preparation. There is a particularly large room for individual differences in error perception due to the psychological atrophy experienced by young Taekwondo athletes as their performances lead to their future careers. Thus, examining how the perception of error changes the expectancy value and challenge is meaningful, as it can be used as basic data for tactical preparation to improve the psychological and behavioral skills of young Taekwondo athletes.
Accordingly, this study aimed to derive a causal model in which three variables were simultaneously controlled while utilizing the advantages of latent variables by applying structural equation modeling (SEM) [
20]. In the investigation of the causal relationship between the three variables, research on the perception of error has focused mainly on the importance of the latter in the field of education, so research in the field of sports is insufficient. Therefore, this study investigated whether error perception could be applied as an antecedent variable for improving athletes’ expectations and challenges. We hypothesized that perception of error would affect the expectancy value and challenge and that the expectancy value would function as a mediating variable in the model.
4. Discussion
This study set the expectancy value as a mediating variable in the relationship between perception of error and challenge by analyzing data from 423 young Taekwondo athletes to investigate the relationship between the three variables (perception of error, expectancy value, and challenge). We identified perception of error as an antecedent variable that promoted expectancy value and challenge, and the expectancy value was considered a variable that affected and was affected by the perception of error and challenge. Furthermore, perception of error not only had a direct effect on the challenge but also explained the challenge through a mediating effect on the expectation for success and subjective values.
Examining the effect of perception of error on expectancy revealed that the perception of error increased expectations at a significant level. This supports the results of previous studies, which reported that a positive perception of error acts as a mechanism to promote the expectations for success [
12,
28]. Anshel and Moran [
12,
29] mentioned the importance of a positive mindset because failure and mistakes are essential experiences to achieving victory. This can be interpreted in the same context as the research results, which argued that mistakes are an accompanying step in athletes’ success. However, young athletes may have difficulty in perceiving mistakes positively because even if the coach emphasizes the importance of a positive perception of error for young athletes, expecting change can be difficult unless the psychological characteristics of the athletes change. Moreover, owing to the competitive nature of sports, being compared to other athletes can lead to a more negative view of mistakes. Thus, coaches should consider both the individual characteristics of the players and the circumstantial aspects for the young athletes to recognize their mistakes as a positive aspect, and efforts should be made to improve the athletes’ perception of error by creating a process-oriented atmosphere rather than a competition-oriented atmosphere.
Examining the effect of perception of error revealed that it increased values at a significant level. This supports the results of previous studies, which reported that perception of error and subjective values were closely related [
11,
18,
30]. Kim et al. [
11] reported significant individual differences in value depending on whether the direction of interpreting a mistake was positive or negative, and Weiner [
31] suggested that if a mistake was interpreted negatively, the value of continuing with training was also reduced. Therefore, if mistakes are perceived negatively, the value of participation or maintenance of training is reduced, eventually decreasing performance or motivation. Thus, coaches should understand which factors the athletes place more value on and provide informational feedback accordingly. Efforts should further be made to promote the correct values that athletes should pursue by providing feedback that incorporates the values pursued, focusing on individual skill proficiency rather than solely on victory. A learning approach toward acceptance of mistakes rather than avoidance should be encouraged
Examining the effect of perception of error on the challenge revealed that perception of error increased the challenge at a significant level. This supports the results of previous studies, which reported that a positive perception of error acted as a mechanism to promote the desire for challenge [
17,
24,
32]. Dweck et al. [
33] mentioned the importance of perceiving mistakes positively to promote the desire for challenge. Since the latter acts as a factor in alleviating athletes’ slumps, it can be interpreted in the same context as the research results of Gray [
34], who argued the importance of perceiving mistakes as an opportunity for growth. Hence, it is important for athletes to perceive their mistakes positively to cultivate a desire for challenge [
35]. This is because the perception of error is known to be deeply related to self-efficacy, which is closely related to the challenge. Increasing the athletes’ self-efficacy can be interpreted as an important factor that can improve the perception of error in a positive direction. Therefore, competent coaching ability is required to reduce the burden of mistakes through the experience of success by presenting an appropriate level of task difficulty to the athletes and cultivating a desire for challenge by encouraging an active attitude.
Examining the effect of expectation on the challenge revealed that expectation increased the challenge at a significant level. This supports the results of previous studies, which reported that positive expectations for success served as a psychological mechanism to foster a challenging attitude toward tasks [
13,
18,
36]. Butler et al. [
37] reported that expectations for success and challenging attitude were very closely related to each other and could be interpreted in the same context as the research results of Bali et al. [
38], who argued that constant challenge was important to achieve one’s selected goals in competitive sports. Furthermore, aiming for a positive attitude is important because the expectation for success can give meaning to an individual’s experiential domain and promote motivation for participation in tasks [
39,
40]. The expectation for success can therefore induce the intrinsic motivation of Taekwondo athletes, thereby encouraging a challenging attitude toward a task. Therefore, coaches must identify factors that lower the psychological attributes through systematic consultation with the athletes in advance, to allow them to form positive psychological attributes and training methods for increasing their performance. Young athletes need the ability to examine their own mistakes through video analysis of training and game situations.
Examining the effect of value on the challenge demonstrated that value increased the challenge at a significant level. This supports the results of previous studies, which reported that value acted as a factor in increasing intrinsic motivation [
41,
42]. This result can be interpreted in the same context as the research results of Cox et al. [
15], who reported that athletes’ sense of identity acted as a factor promoting various positive values (performance, interest, and usefulness). Thus, the athletes’ sense of identity fosters positive values, through which they can persevere even in challenging situations.
Considering the path effect of expectations and values, they could be considered the main factors in determining athletes’ challenge. Weiss [
43] argued that these two factors determined the level of commitment of athletes. Thus, it is important for coaches to help athletes establish positive expectations and correct values for performance. This study, in which expectancy and value were identified as significant variables in the relationship between perception of error and challenge, also supports this result. Moreover, perception of error had a particularly greater indirect effect on the challenge when mediated by values compared to when mediated by expectations. This suggests that the process by which perception of error affects the challenge, the value of the task to be challenged, and whether it arouses interest to play more important roles than the expectation of being able to complete the task well.
Our study had the following limitations: although the sample of this study was representative of youth Taekwondo players, convenience sampling had to be carried out due to difficulties in running and conducting the competition. In a follow-up study, it is necessary to use random sampling to reflect the general characteristics of youth Taekwondo players’ careers. In addition, although the perception of errors explained expectation, value, and challenge, this study did not consider variables that could reinforce the perception of errors or conduct interviews with coaches or players. Due to the limited discussion on how to increase the recognition of mistakes, it is necessary to consider various variables that explain it in follow-up studies while conducting qualitative research that can determine them phenomenologically.