Intrinsic motivation in youth sport: goal orientations and motivational climate.

Abstract

Theory and guidelines for good practice suggest an individual's goals and the nature of the environment should be considered when examining motivation. Yet past sport research has typically examined these factors separately. The current study employed an interactional model to determine the influence that goal orientations and perceived motivational climate had on the intrinsic motivation of 107 junior soccer players. Considering motivational climate or goal orientation in isolation provided a less than complete picture of the perceived competence dimension of intrinsic motivation. Perceived competence varied as a function of both mastery-oriented climate and task orientation. The results also indicated that motivational climate moderated goal orientation in predicting intrinsic motivation in youth sport. Practical implications for individuals involved in creating youth sport environments are presented.