The trichotomous model and investment in learning to prepare for a sport test: A mediational analysis
Authors: Cury F.1; Da Fonséca D.1; Rufo M.1; Peres C.2; Sarrazin P.3
Source: British Journal of Educational Psychology, Volume 73, Number 4, December 2003 , pp. 529-543(15)
Publisher: British Psychological Society
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Abstract:
Background: Contemporary views on motivation suggest that the approach-avoidance achievement goals conceptualisation - namely the trichotomous model - can shed light on the important issue of student motivation. Aims: To test the predictive value of the trichotomous model on the investment in learning a sport task for test preparation, and to validate a model which included a set of psychological processes (i.e., state anxiety and competence valuation) which mediate the relationship between the three goals (i.e., performance-approach, performance-avoidance, and mastery goals) and test preparation. The study was designed to investigate the direct and mediational effects of three experimental goal conditions on the time in which pupils prepared for a sport test. Sample: French male school pupils (N = 75). Pupils were aged 13-15 years and attended schools in southern France. Method: Pupils prepared themselves for a sport task with a 5-minute period of training, and performed in one of three experimental conditions to which they were randomly assigned: a performance goal with a positive outcome focus (performance-approach), a performance goal with a negative outcome focus (performance-avoidance), or a mastery goal. Results: Pupils in the performance-avoidance group reported higher state anxiety and lower competence valuation than those in the performance-approach and mastery groups, and this psychological state was associated with less time taken to prepare for the test. Conclusion: School pupils placed in an examination preparation context that elicits a performance goal with a negative outcome focus (performance-avoidance) show motivational deficits which manifest themselves in less time spent practising. The trichotomous model appears to be valid for the study of motivational processes in school physical education.Document Type: Regular paper
DOI: 10.1348/000709903322591226
Affiliations: 1: University of Aix-Marseille II, France 2: University of Paris XI, France 3: University of Grenoble I, France
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