Maintenance of positive psychological conditioning can be a key factor in eliciting high human performance. In particular, perception of error forms a causal relationship with challenges regarding task performance. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the mediation effect of expectancy value in the relationship between the perception of error and challenge using the Phantom Model through quantitative research. This study analyzed the causal relationship between perception of error, expectancy value, and challenge in 423 young Taekwondo athletes. Frequency analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, correlation analysis, and structural equation modeling were performed on the collected data using Jamovi 1.0.1 and AMOS 23.0 statistical programs to verify the hypothesis. The challenge demonstrated a significant difference in relation to the perception of error. These results demonstrated that the perception of error not only directly affected one's challenge but also explained the increased challenge by mediating expectations for success and subjective values. Hence, the positive perception of error increased the athletes' expectancy value and challenge.
Keywords: athlete; challenge; expectancy value; perception of error; psychological conditioning; sports; structural equation modeling.