A theoretical investigation of motivational patterns in athletes

This study examined motivational patterns among high school athletes based on predictions found in Nicholls' (1984) theory of achievement motivation. More specifically, it was predicted that athletes classified as ego-involved and low in perceived ability would demonstrate a negative motivational pattern characterized by low effort, persistence and performance in competitive situations. Thus, the study attempted to replicate findings in the education psychological literature indicating that ego involvement and low perceived ability produce a "helpless" oriented response to difficulty and test theoretical predictions for effort, performance and intrinsic interest that have not received attention in the sport literature. The subjects were 436 male, high school basketball players who completed a questionnaire assessing player demographics, intrinsic interest, perceived ability and goal orientations immediately before or after a mid-season practice session. Within ten to fourteen days following this initial assessment, coaches rated players on effort, persistence and performance demonstrated in practices and games over that time period. The results did not support the predicted interaction between perceived ability and goal orientation, but results did show that perceived ability had a significant effect on effort, persistence and performance in practice and game settings. Player goal orientations as well as situational goals emphasized by the coach did not have any consistent effects on the achievement behaviors assessed. Topics discussed include explanations for the consistent effects of perceived ability, the lack of goal orientation findings and suggestions for future research.U of I OnlyETDs are only available to UIUC Users without author permissio