Final answer:
The most likely reason for Maddox's reaction is low self-efficacy in organizational behavior, stemming from a belief that their accounting major does not prepare them as well as Ritchie's psychology major for the subject.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on the scenario provided, the most likely reason for Maddox's reaction to the comparison of exam performances with Ritchie is that Maddox has low self-efficacy. Self-efficacy refers to an individual's belief in their own abilities to achieve goals and overcome challenges. Since Maddox is questioning the validity of the comparison due to the difference in their majors, it suggests that Maddox may doubt their own ability to perform as well in the subject of organizational behavior as someone with a psychology background. This lack of confidence in facing challenges related to the subject could be an indication of low self-efficacy. Given that self-efficacy can be situational, it's plausible that Maddox might have a higher sense of self-efficacy in areas related to accounting, where they are majoring, rather than in organizational behavior, which might not align as closely with their field of expertise. Therefore, the difference in academic backgrounds is seen as a hurdle that Maddox does not feel confident to overcome, leading to the belief that the comparison with Ritchie is unfair.