theories of motivation pt.1

Motivation

Definition of Motivation: The direction and intensity of effort (Sage, 1977)
- 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.
- Relationship: Direction and intensity of effort are closely related.

Major Motives for Exercise Participants

Health Factors:
- Weight loss
- Fitness
- Self-challenge
Joining Factors:
- Enjoyment
Continuing Factors:
- Liking instructor
- Liking type of activity
Social Factors:
- Feeling better

Major Motives for Sport Participants

Improving skills
Having fun
Being with friends
Experiencing thrills and excitement
Achieving success
Developing fitness

Studying Motivation

Purpose of Theories: Theories provide general frameworks to explain behavior. These theories can help to guide interventions aimed at changing people's behavior.
Theories Count: Note that there are over 80 theories to predict physical activity.
Motivational Themes:
- Personal motivation
- Situational motivation
- Interaction of personal and situational factors

Categories of Motivational Theories

Social Cognitive Theories
- Main Premise: Behavior is driven by goals or intentions.
- Awareness: People are aware and make deliberate decisions about their behavior.
- Definitions:
- Goals: Targets or purposes aimed at achievement.
- Intentions: Perception of the probability that one will engage in the behavior.
  - Direction: Yes or no decision to behave.
  - Strength: Intensity of the commitment to enact the behavior.
- Examples of Social Cognitive Theories:
- Achievement Goal Theory
- Health Action Process Approach Applied to Physical Activity
- Temporal Self-Regulation Theory
- High Achievers / Successful Athletes:
  - Goals adopted: Incremental or task-based goals focused on self-improvement or mastering a skill.
  - Typically adopt approach goals that are assertive to pursue improvement.
  - Have high perceived competence and feel that achievement is within their control.
  - Seek out challenges, able competitors, and demanding tasks.
  - Perform well in evaluative conditions.
Humanistic Theories
- Self-actualization: The belief that people are innately driven towards personal growth and strive towards achievement.
- Human Tendency: Behave in adaptive, goal-directed, and self-fulfilling ways.
- Acquisition: Acquired through experience and learning.
- Main Predictor of Behavior: Internal drive towards self-fulfillment.
- Behaviors: Those that provide self-fulfillment and reward are naturally motivating.
Self-Determination Theory
- Three Basic Psychological 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 their hands.
  - Relatedness/Belonging: E.g., A soccer player loves to be part of a team.
- Outcome of Satisfying Needs: Leads to the development of intrinsic motivation.
- Frustration of Needs: Leads to the development of amotivation or extrinsic motivation.
Dual-Process Theories
- Theory of Hedonic Motivation: Environmental cues trigger dual-motivational processes that influence behavior.
- Types of Motivation:
  - Reflective Motivation: Desire to engage in the behavior or not, based on expectations and values about the behavior.
  - Hedonic Motivation: Immediate, uncontrollable feelings or urges to engage in or avoid the behavior.
- Human Behavior: Humans tend to pursue pleasure and avoid displeasure.
- Theory of Effort Minimization in Physical Activity:
  - Humans have evolved automatic attractions toward minimizing energy expenditure and effort, whether that effort is actual or perceived.
- Process of Motivation: Cue -> Evaluation -> Planning