3.2.3.1.7 Achievement Motivation Theory

Achievement motivation and what influences it

Tendency to approach or avoid competitive situations, the drive to succeed minus the fear of failure

Atkinson’s model

Proposed that achievement behaviour is determined by personality and situational components. Influenced by incentive value

Need to achieve

Display approach behaviour and actively seek challenges/take risks without being deterred by failure

Need to achieve charectertistics

Intrinsically motivated, assertive/confident, welcome feedback/evaluation

Need to avoid failure

Display avoidance behaviour and avoid challenging or evaluation situations

Need to avoid failure characteristics

Dislike feedback, blame external factors, low self efficacy/high anxiety down to risk or being evaluated, prefer easy option,

Personality components in Atkinson’s model

Need to achieve, Need to avoid failure

Situational components in Atkinson’s model

Probability of success, incentive value of success

Incentive value of success

Level of satisfaction/pride/rewards gained, harder tasks=greater pride

Achievement goal theory

Motivation determined by success definition/perceived competence

Aspects of achievement goal theory

Task/Outcome (ego) orientation

Task orientation

Success determined by self-comparison, personal improvement and skill mastery

Personality characteristics with task orientation

Intrinsic motivation, task persistence, process focused

Personality characteristics with outcome (ego) orientation

Extrinsic motivation, lost motivation if perceived lack ability, outcome focused

Outcome (ego) orientation

Focused on social comparison, outperforming others, displaying superiority

Strategies to develop approach behaviour (4)

Set challenging but achievable goals with task orientation focus, Attribute success internally and failure to controllable factors, Use positive reinforcement (praise/rewards) and constructive feedback, Highlight role models, allow player to experience success in training to increase self esteem

Negative evaluation of strategies to develop approach behaviour

Personality not stable, situational pressure overrides personality