Achievement motivation theory

Question 1

What does achievement motivation look at?

Answer 1

Looks at how much desire a player has to keep trying to succeed

Question 2

What are the two personality dimensions of Atkinson’s model?

Answer 2

1. Sports people who keep on trying to (NACH)
2. Avoid competition and seek safe and secure options (NAF)

Question 3

What is NACH

Answer 3

Need to achieve/approach behaviour

Question 4

What are four characteristics of NACH

Answer 4

1. Welcome competition -> pride and satisfaction of winning provides a strong incentive
2. Very confident -> have belief in their ability
3. Attribute success internally -> tell themselves the reason for the win was down to them
4. Task persistent -> keep trying even if they fail for the first time

Question 5

What is NAF

Answer 5

Need to avoid failure

Question 6

Give three characteristics of NAF

Answer 6

1. Give up easily -> will not have a second go if they fail the first time
2. Take easy options -> maintain self esteem through an easy win
3. Do not like feedback -> avoid looking at statistics incase they find something unwelcome

Question 7

How is achievement motivation calculated?

Answer 7

Achievement motivation = the drive to succeed - the fear of failure

Question 8

What determines the NACH or NAF approach?

Answer 8

the drive to succeed - the fear of failure
Therefore there is a balance between the personality of the performer and the situation.
So the level of achievement motivation depends on the interaction of personality and situation.

Question 9

How can NACH be developed?

Answer 9

1. Reinforcement - praise/reward players to do well
2. Allowing success - set tasks/drills that can be accomplished in early development
3. Goal setting - using the SMARTER principle to set goals that are achievable

Question 10

What two goals can individuals set?

Answer 10

• Outcome orientation
• Task orientation

Question 11

Give an example of an outcome orientated goal

Answer 11

To win a race or to set a record

Question 12

Give an example of a task orientated goal

Answer 12

Master a tomohawk in hockey

Question 13

Give 2 characteristics of an outcome orientated goal

Answer 13

• Set with a specific aim to beat and show superiority over others
• Performer continually achieve success = high motivation (however this is unrealistic)

Question 14

Give 2 characteristics of a task orientated goal

Answer 14

• Do not seek to measure a persons ability against others
• Process is more important than outcome; regardless of result confidence is high