Sports Psychology

And Motivation
By
Ashlin Baiju
 Motivation
 Motivation is an internal energy force that determines all aspects of our behaviour; it
also impacts on how we think, feel and interact with others. In sport, high motivation is
widely accepted as an essential prerequisite in getting athletes to fulfil their potential.

 Motivation is the central factor in the effective management of the process of learning.
Some types of motivation must be present in learning.( Kelley)

 Motivation is Any condition that might energies and direct our actions.

 Motivation refers to the initiation, direction, intensity and persistence of

behaviour.
 Motivation
 There are numerous approaches to the study of motivation. Some are
based on schedules of positive and negative reinforcement (eg BF
Skinner’s and Ivan Pavlov’s behaviourism) while others focus on an
individual’s sense of mastery over a set of circumstances (eg Albert
Bandura’s self-efficacy theory)
 Motivation
 Schedules Of Positive And Negative Reinforcement (BF Skinner)

Operant conditioning follows a specific process. An athlete

performs a behavior and the coach chooses how to respond to that
behavior. If the goal is to increase the frequency of that behavior, the
coach should provide reinforcement. Reinforcement can be positive or
negative
• Positive & Negative Reinforcement
• Positive & Negative Punishment
 Motivation

Self-determination Theory : This theory is based on a number of

motives or regulations, which vary in terms of the degree of self-
determination they reflect. Self-determination has to do with the
degree to which your behaviours are chosen and self-initiated

Flow - the ultimate motivational state (Mihalyi Csikszentmihalyi) :

the highest level of intrinsic motivation is flow state (4,5). Flow is
characterised by complete immersion in an activity, to the degree that
nothing else matters.
 Motivation

Albert Bandura’s self-efficacy theory : The Self Efficacy Theory

(Bandura, 1977) suggests that self efficacy beliefs predict one’s
behaviours, thought patterns and motivation. Individuals with high
self efficacy will participate readily and more frequently, will put
more effort in and persist longer, enhancing performance in sport and
exercise (Bandura, 1986).
 Motivational Techniques

1) Goal setting

2) Using extrinsic rewards

3) Motivational music

4) Positive self-talk
REFERENCES

•  Deci E, Ryan R (1985) Intrinsic Motivation and Self-

determination in Human Behavior, New York: Plenum
• Advances in Sport Psychology (2nd ed), Champaign IL: Human
Kinetics, 2002: 459-499
• Csikszentmihalyi M (1990) Flow: The Psychology of Optimal
Experience, New York: Harper and Row