Motivation

Question 1

What is Motivation?

Answer 1

Motivation is the direction and intensity of effort.

◦ Direction of effort refers to whether an individual seeks out, approaches, or is
attracted to situations.
◦ Intensity of effort refers to how much effort an individual puts forth in a
situation.

Direction and intensity of effort are closely related.

Question 2

Views of Motivation

Answer 2

Trait-centered view
Situation-centered view
Interactional view

Question 3

Trait-centered view

Answer 3

Motivated behaviour is primarily a function of individual characteristics

Question 4

Situation-centered view

Answer 4

Motivation level is determined primarily by

situation.

Question 5

Interactional view

Answer 5

Motivated behaviour results from the interaction

of participant factors and situational factors.

Question 6

Five Guidelines for Building

Motivation

Answer 6

Guideline 1: Consider both situations and traits in motivating people.
Guideline 2: Understand people’s multiple motives for involvement.
Guideline 3: Change the environment to enhance motivation
Guideline 4: Influence motivation.
Guideline 5: Use behavior modification to change undesirable
participant motives.

Question 7

Self-Determination Theory

Answer 7

Self-determination theory contends that people are motivated to satisfy three general needs:
◦ Competence (e.g., “I am a good runner.”)

◦ Autonomy (e.g., A pitcher loves to decide what pitches to throw
and to have the fate of the game in his or her hands.)

◦ Social connectedness or belonging (e.g., A soccer player loves to
be part of the team.)

Question 8

How to Identify Participant Motives

Answer 8

• Observe participants.
• Talk informally to others.
• Ask participants directly.

Question 9

Achievement motivation

Answer 9

A person’s orientation to strive for task

success, persist in the face of failure, and experience pride in accomplishments (Gill, 2000)

Question 10

Competitiveness

Answer 10

A disposition to strive for satisfaction when

making comparisons with some standard of excellence in the presence of evaluative others (Martens, 1976)

Question 11

Attribution Theory

Answer 11

Attributions: How people explain their successes and failures

Examples include the following:
◦ Stability
◦ Locus of causality
◦ Locus of control

Question 12

Achievement Goal Theory

Answer 12

One is motivated by one’s “interpretation” of what it takes to achieve success.

Question 13

Ego goal orientation

Answer 13

Comparing performance with and defeating others

Question 14

Task (mastery) goal orientation

Answer 14

Improving relative to one’s own past performances

Question 15

Social goal orientation

Answer 15

Judging competence in terms of affiliation with the group and recognition of being liked by others

Question 16

Entity view

Answer 16

Adopting an outcome goal focus where one sees one’s ability as fixed and unable to be changed through effort

Question 17

Incremental focus

Answer 17

Adopting a task goal perspective and believing that one can change his or her ability through hard work and effort

Question 18

Approach goal orientation

Answer 18

Focusing on achieving competence

Question 19

Avoidance goal orientation

Answer 19

Focusing on avoiding incompetence

Question 20

Keys of Achievement Goal Theory

Answer 20

• Focus extra attention
on task-oriented goals.
• Foster mastery or task
motivational climates.
• Encourage approach
goals.

Question 21

Keys of Competence Motivation Theory

Answer 21

•People are motivated to feel worthy or competent.
•Athletes’ perceptions of competence and control are critical
determinants of whether they will strive toward achievement.
•Enhancing perceived competence and control should be primary goals
of professionals in exercise and sport science.

Question 22

Stages of Developing Achievement Motivation and Competitiveness

Answer 22

• Autonomous competence stage
• Social comparison stage
• Integrated (self- and social-comparison)
stage