Final answer:
People driven by the motive to avoid failure are likely to pick easy tasks where success is more guaranteed and possibility of failure minimized. Their better performance under lower arousal levels associated with easy tasks is a function of their self-efficacy and social motives. They favor environments where individual performance can be easily assessed.
Step-by-step explanation:
People with a high motive to avoid failure are more likely to approach easy tasks. This is based on the principle that when the arousal levels are in a middle range, these individuals prefer options where the potential for failure is relatively low. This stems from Self-efficacy and Social Motives, a psychological concept where one's belief in their capabilities influences their choice of tasks.
The concept of arousal and task difficulty is best understood under an inverted U-shaped curve, where performance is best at a moderate level of arousal. However, those who are driven by a motive to avoid failure experience better performance under lower levels of arousal, which are more typically associated with easy tasks than with difficult or challenging ones.
As a result, these individuals will favor tasks where assessment of individual performance is straightforward - hence the inclination towards easy tasks. Operating in such environments allows them the assurance of success and minimizes the chances of encountering failure.
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