The motivational profiles of golfers at various stages of the talent development continuum: an ecological dynamics and self-determination theory perspective

[摘要] A central challenge in the acquisitionof exceptional ability is that of creating the motivation required to engage successfully in the activity (Sosniak, 2007). Given that 'ability' is context specific, more knowledge of the construct of motivation is needed in the situated context of performance sport (Roberts et al., 2007). As such this study is an explorationof the self-determining characteristics of golfers at typical stages on a continuum towards world-class performance, including the change from amateur into professional sport. Datawascollectedfromthefollowingsamplegroups:CollegeStudent(CS;n=l4);Elite Amateur (EA; n=17) and Elite Professional (EP; n=l8) using the Sports Motivation Scale-6 (SMS-6; Mallett eta!.,2007). Internal consistency of the scale was tested based on Cronbach'scoefficient alpha (Cronbach, 1951) before univariate analysis (ANOVA), multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and post-hoc analyses were applied to the data. The EA group (\(M\)=55.18 \(SD\)=17.96) reported higher 'relativeautonomy'thanboth the CS (\(M\)=39.21, \(SD\)=10.44)and EP (\(M\)=44.61, \(SD\)=14.81)groups. Individualsubscaleanalysissuggests the CS group(\(M\)=22.07, \(SD\)=2.64)and EAgroup(\(M\)=23.12, \(SD\)=3.28) practice their sport for more intrinsic reasons than the EP group (\(M\)=19.17, \(SD\)=4.33). In relationtoextrinsicmotivationtheEPgroup(\(M\)=9.33, \(SD\)=3.58),comparativetotheCSgroup (\(M\)=18.00,\(SD\)=5.16)andEAgroup(\(M\)=15.41,\(SD\)=6.32)reportedlowerlevelsofthistypeof motivation. These finding suggest that motivationis potentiallyaffectedby situationalcontexts, and the dynamic non-linear nature of human development.

[发布机构] University:University of Birmingham;Department:School of Education

[关键词] G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation;GV Recreation Leisure