Achievement Motivation
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The theory that an individual’s behaviour is
determined by their interaction with the
environmentand their desire to achieve.
Need to achieve: the motivation to succeed or
particular goals. Nach personalities show
approach behaviours.
Need to avoid failiure: the motivation to aviod
failiure; people with naf personalities show
avoidance behaviours
Interpreting success
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It is important to consider how an individual’s
motivation is determined by the way in which they
measure success.
For some people success can only mean a victory
and asserting superiority over their opponent. This
type of individual is said to be ego-orientated or
motivated by outcome goals.
Others measure success in terms of their internal
effort and ability. So for example they are not too
worried by losing if they have achieved a personal
best. They are task-orientated performers.
Coaches must be aware of how to set goals and gain
performance benefit from these personality traits.
Implications for coaching
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Achievement motivation is therefore another
example of interactionist theory.
Achievement is influenced by the environment as
well as by our personality traits.
Behaviour depends on our evaluation of the
situation in terms of probability of success (task
difficulty), incentive value of success (shame/pride
following result).
Achievement motivation can be summarised by one
word.
Competitiveness