MOTIVATION – what is it? Definitions!

1. MOTIVATION – what is it?Definitions! Internal state or condition that activates behavior and gives it direction Desire or want that energizes and directs goal-oriented behavior Influence of needs and desires on the intensity and direction of behavior The arousal, direction, and persistence of behavior

2. What types of motivation are there? • INTRINSIC MOTIVATION • EXTRINSIC MOTIVATION

3. ACHIEVEMENT MOTIVATION “An individuals’ orientation to strive for task success, persist in the face of failure, and experience pride in accomplishments.” Gill, (1986)

4. What is achievement motivation? • Achievement motivation is about what happens when we are faced with a choice to seek out or to avoid situations where we might or might not be successful? • Eg. There may be 2 climbs to choose from on a wall or you may be arranging fixtures with opponents. Which or who do you choose? • 2 factors contribute to this decision • PERSONALITY & SITUATION

5. Atkinson & McClelland (1974)…..Interactionist view! • Suggested there are 2 personality factors contributing to achievement motivation……. • Nach – Need to achieve • Naf – Need to avoid failure

6. The need to achieve – Nach!!! • Performers with the “Need to achieve” will……… • Be risk takers • Want a challenge • Put themselves in situations where there is a possibility of losing • Pit themselves against better opponents • Persist at their sport • Have high intrinsic motivation • Attribute success to internal stable factors! • Tend to be EXTROVERT

7. The need to avoid failure – Naf!! • Performers with the “Need to avoid failure” will……. • Err on the side of caution • Give up easily • Play opponents who they know they can beat • Take the easy option • Are afraid of failure and looking silly • Don’t want to be challenged • Like being in the comfort zone • Tend to be INTROVERT

8. Personality factors HIGH Nach A LOW Naf HIGH Naf B LOW Nach

9. Situational Factors • We judge the situation in terms of….. • The probability of success • The incentive value of success. High Task 1 Task 2 High

10. Situational factorsthe relationship……! • nAch = (Ms-Maf) x (Ps x (1-Ps)) • In other words…..Our need to achieve is the difference between the motives for success and failure multiplied by the product of the probability of success and its incentive value

11. Achievement goal orientations: • There are several types of goal against which success can be judged….. • Mastery or task goals: Associated with self improvement Eg. Striving to achieve a personal best in track and field (process goals) • Ego or ability goals:These involve comparisons against ones rivals. (performance or product goals)

12. Failure avoidance goals… • Used by students who are motivated not to fail (ie. Have a high Naf) • Targets are set which they know they can achieve and so leave their self-image in tact. • If they do fail they tend to blame external factors which are out of their control. • The risk is that by setting themselves easy targets they will not improve their skills. • Eventually they may become ‘Failure acceptors’ If this state of mind is reached then coaches must work on building their self-image to be positive.

13. How do we develop athletes with a high Nach?! • Encourage independence • Offer comfort and support when there are setbacks • Expect the child to be able, competent and responsible • Resist the urge to ‘take charge’ when they are experiencing difficulties • Appreciate small steps of progress • Focus on positive achievements • Be attentive to efforts, feelings, problems