The Psychology of Performance by Stewart T. Cotterill is a coherent and informative account of the conditions under which human performance may fit or fail environmental demands and expectations. The author’s writing is clear, and, most importantly, reliant on a wealth of scientific evidence. Thus, if the reader anticipates a traditional self-help book, he/she will be quite surprised as well as impressed not only by the valuable advice that can be gathered from it, but also by the multitude, variety, and quality of research findings that support the author’s statements. Not surprisingly, the reader is likely to find in each chapter many well-articulated and transparent narratives that will make his/her reading comprehension easier. In fact, in each chapter and across the entire book, Cotterill’s topical organization is logical, the selection of research findings is sensible as well as informed, the methodology used by researchers and practitioners for data collection is described in plain language, and implications to everyday life are noted.

The chapter I found most engaging and informative is Chapter 4 which explores decision-making, including the process of choosing a course of action, as well as the antecedents of choice and its consequences on the behavior of single individuals and groups. The chapter considers different approaches (e.g., classical, naturalistic, and ecological viewpoints) and factors (e.g., emotions) that shape the decision-making process. By doing so, the author acknowledges the complexities of the process and the relevance of each factor in accounting for optimal or sub-optimal human performance. In the remainder of the book, each chapter focuses on a theme or key concept (e.g., self-efficacy), explains thoroughly its meaning and its relationship to performance, and offers a well-versed and insightful analysis of relevant facts. Across the entire book, not only evidence is offered to support the purported relationship, but also theoretical models are discussed so cogently that their key components and governing principles can be easily understood by those who may find them unfamiliar. Models allow the reader to place predictors and outcome variables into a conceptual framework that defines their relevance. The author cleverly explores situational and dispositional factors that may modulate the relevance and the related impact of particular predictors, thereby skillfully moving from general models and principles to specific applications where the properties of the context matter as they define standards, expectations, and viability.  

In times when scientific evidence is discarded in favor of self-serving narratives, and facts are called fake news when they do not fit such narratives, one may sensibly argue that being evidence-based is not sufficient for a book to guarantee the appreciation of its readership. If it is so, Cotterill’s book has an advantage. Its content is not merely evidence-based. It engages the reader because the author is able to clarify, and situate each phenomenon of interest (e.g., human performance) in its proper context. His writing can be compared to that of a skilled surgeon who explains a surgical procedure (e.g., aims, steps, surgical knowledge, and technical skills required, etc.) to his/her students with both sufficient generalities and details to ensure that the procedure is adequately understood before the opportunity to practice it is offered.  

The Psychology of Performance can serve as a textbook in a variety of college classes whose curriculum covers the domains of learning and assessment. It can also be an interesting read for a diverse readership, including individuals who want to understand their own performance in a variety of leisure and/or work-related activities and those who are curious about human performance in general. The author skillfully and effectively introduces each concept, theory, and practice he discusses. He explains the intricacies of the measurement of human performance plainly, offering concrete scenarios to further illustrate practices and concepts that may appear nebulous at first glance. The only glitch in the mosaic of valuable information that the author shares with his readership is the repeated use of the term “performance” which may annoy some readers to the point of challenging them to generate synonyms out of exasperation. Notwithstanding one-word repetition, the author’s writing is so sharp and logical that the book is likely to be a compelling read from the very first chapter. The book does not demand a specialized readership, and can be enjoyed by all whose curiosity about human behavior, its nature, sources, and measurements is yet to be satisfied. Interestingly, in the last chapter, Cotterill offers a list of valuable sources along with brief synopses of their content for the inquisitive reader whose interests demand the acquisition of additional information. The Psychology of Performance, although an introduction to a domain of knowledge (as per the author’s statement), does a remarkably good job in satisfying such interests, thereby rendering some of the sources on his list dispensable. 

© 2020 Maura Pilotti

Maura Pilotti, Ph.D.

Categories: Psychology

Keywords: psychology, performance