6- Achievement Motivation

Question 1

Defines achievement motivation

Answer 1

The desire with which competitive situations are approached or avoided.

It can be summed up as : Summed up as ‘the desire to succeed minus the fear of failure’.

The degree of competitiveness can be a personality trait and/or it can be developed
through sporting experiences and change with the situation.

Question 2

Atkinson

Answer 2

Atkinson suggested 2 personality types
1- Approaches competition with enthusiasm- asks to take the penalty
2- Tries to avoid the competition- at the back of the group for the penalties

Question 3

Atkinson suggested two personality types.

NACH and NAF

Answer 3

NACH (approach behaviour)

• The need to achieve.
• Welcome competition.
• They take risks.
• Welcome feedback and evaluation.
• Like a challenge.
• Task Persistent- Try harder after failure.
• Confident
• Attribute success internally
• Base their actions on seeking pride and satisfaction from their performance

NAF (avoidance behaviour)

• The need to avoid failure.
• Avoid competition.
• Take the easy option.
• Give up easily.
• Do not like feedback or evaluation
• Do not take responsibility for their actions

Question 4

Define interaction

Answer 4

The combination of the situational and personality factors that decide the level of achievement motivation

Question 5

What determines NACH or NAF

Answer 5

■ Approach behaviour depends on the interaction of personality and the situation
■ The need to achieve or avoid failure are situation specific

Question 6

Personality or situation

Answer 6

.

Question 7

Personality

Answer 7

> Can be innate or developed
Extrovert or introvert
Arousal/ Aggression or Anxiety

Question 8

Situation

Answer 8

-Probability of Success in task- high chance leads to high
motivation, low chance then people give up, lack
motivation
-Incentive Value- reward gained from the task, high value
reward leads to high motivation, low value rewards then
people give up, lack motivation
-Pride to be gained
-High risk = high satisfaction

Question 9

How to develop the need to achieve

Answer 9

>Set goals
>Goals should be realistic and achievable
>Use reinforcement
>Improve confidence/self-efficacy
>Allow success
>Attribute success internally

Question 10

Achievement Goal Theory

Answer 10

Motivation and Task persistence depend on the type of goals set and how they success is measured

Question 11

Achievement Goal Theory

Answer 11

Task Related
■ Measure the process of success against the performers own
standards
■ Regardless of the result success can be achieved and confidence
maintained

Outcome Related
■ Doesn’t matter how the result is 
achieved as long as the goal is 
reached
■ If the performer succeeds pride and 
satisfaction are maintained
■ If they fail confidence and 
motivation can be lowered

Question 12

Summary

Answer 12

-The need to achieve and the need to avoid failure are personality types with differing
characteristics.
-Approach and avoidance behaviour is influenced by the interaction of personality
and the situation.
-Approach behaviour can be developed by a careful goal setting strategy.

Question 13

Achievement motivation summary

Answer 13

> The need to achieve and the need to avoid failure are personality types with differing
characteristics.
Approach and avoidance behaviour is influenced by the interaction of personality
and the situation.
Approach behaviour can be developed by a careful goal setting strategy.