Motivation in Sport (AQA GCSE Physical Education (PE))

Revision Note

Cara Head

Written by: Cara Head

Reviewed by: Lára Marie McIvor

Intrinsic & Extrinsic Motivation in Sport

  • Motivation is an internal state of mind that causes us to act toward success or achievement

    • In sports, this may be to break a personal best, to win a trophy, to be named 'player of the match'

  • There are two types of motivation: intrinsic and extrinsic

Intrinsic motivation

Extrinsic motivation

From within - for pride or self-satisfaction and personal achievement

From another source - tangible or intangible

Participants may set themselves a personal goal to achieve

Participants may want an external reward or recognition for their achievement

Motivation is about the feeling after the goal has been achieved

Tangible rewards: certificates, medals or trophies

Intangible rewards: applause, feedback from others, cheering

Evaluation of the merits of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in sport

  • Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation are usually used together: participants may have pride (intrinsic) in their achievement of winning a trophy (extrinsic) in their race

  • Intrinsic motivation is deemed more effective than extrinsic motivation

    • It is more likely to lead to continued effort and participation in the sport

  • When extrinsic motivation is overused it can undermine the strength of the intrinsic motivation

    • Participants may forget why they started playing the sport in the first place and they may become distracted by rewards such as prizes

  • Participants may become reliant on extrinsic motivators such as rewards and may only take part if they are paid or receive recognition

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Cara Head

Author: Cara Head

Expertise: Biology Content Creator

Cara graduated from the University of Exeter in 2005 with a degree in Biological Sciences. She has fifteen years of experience teaching the Sciences at KS3 to KS5, and Psychology at A-Level. Cara has taught in a range of secondary schools across the South West of England before joining the team at SME. Cara is passionate about Biology and creating resources that bring the subject alive and deepen students' understanding

Lára Marie McIvor

Author: Lára Marie McIvor

Expertise: Biology Lead

Lára graduated from Oxford University in Biological Sciences and has now been a science tutor working in the UK for several years. Lára has a particular interest in the area of infectious disease and epidemiology, and enjoys creating original educational materials that develop confidence and facilitate learning.