Self states and performances of preadolescent boys carrying out leadership roles inconsistent with their social status.
A sample of 221 Boy Scouts was formed into (usually) 4-man teams which competed in 3 games of skill. 1 member of each team was randomly designated as its captain, with powers to administer and reward. All subjects took modified Thematic Apperception Tests (TATs) and adjective checklists. Captains who were already leaders in their troops responded with decreased élan. Captains who were not leaders responded with decreased élan and, in some cases, with feeling of withdrawal from relating to others and ineffectiveness as captains. The effects were unrelated to the actual success of their teams.
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D006127:Group Structure; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D008297:Male; D011386:Projective Techniques; D012380:Role; D012649:Self Concept; D012930:Social Dominance