Sport Structure and Goal Oriented Motivation

Abstract: The aim of this study was to assess differences in goal orientation between athletes practicing two different sports. These sports differ structurally in how they are performed and in regard to factors influencing goal orientation. The achievement goal theory (AGT) states that individuals’ motivational orientation is made up of two aspects, task oriented motivation and ego oriented motivation. These two goal orientations are independent of one another and are affected by several factors. The effect on goal orientation by factors influenced by coaches, parents and peers is well documented. The two hypotheses were that climbers would be more task-oriented than squash players and secondly that squash players would be more ego-oriented than climbers. The study was conducted as a quasi-experimental between group comparison. 81 sport practitioners, 43 rock climbers and 38 squash players, took the Task and Ego in Sport Questionnaire (TEOSQ) in connection with performing their sport. Independent t-tests of both sub scales showed a difference in ego-motivation between groups, but not in task-motivation.