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Moderating effects of perceived competence within the social-cognitive model of achievement goals in sport
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Type
Thesis
Author
Chua, Li Lian
Supervisor
Wang, John Chee Keng
Abstract
This thesis aimed to investigate the moderating effects of perceived competence in the social-cognitive model of achievement goals within sports. Specifically, moderating effects of perceived competence were investigated between implicit theories of ability, achievement goals, and achievement-relevant sporting outcomes. Over the years, the achievement goal theory evolved from a dichotomous, to a trichotomous, to a 2 x 2, and then to a 3 x 2 construct. Before the moderating role of perceived competence could be investigated, the various achievement goal measures need to be examined to determine which was most compatible with the social-cognitive model. Study one recruited 475 university athletes from a variety of sports and compared the psychometric properties of the 2 x 2 and 3 x 2 achievement goals and found that both achieved satisfactorily fit indices compared to all other alternative models. As a number of inconsistent relationships were found between the 3 x 2 achievement goal measure and the constructs of the social-cognitive model, the 2 x 2 achievement goal measure was concluded to be more coherent with the social-cognitive model and was utilised for the main investigation.
Study two went on to validate the psychometric properties of the 2 x 2 Achievement Goal in Sport Questionnaire (AGS-Q). The factor structure was examined and found to be invariant across both genders and type of sports (individual versus team sports) through multi-group analysis. The moderating effects of perceived competence between implicit theories, achievement goals, and intrinsic motivation were also investigated for the 908 junior college and university athletes from a variety of sports via Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) analysis. Perceived competence was found to moderate the relationship between entity theory and performance-avoidance goals.
Finally, study three further investigated the moderating effects of perceived competence among 110 badminton athletes. They completed the measurements for implicit theories, perceived competence, 2 x 2 achievement goals and outcomes (intrinsic motivation, flow, pressure, and negative thinking) after a badminton match which they had high perceived competence in and again after a low perceived competence match (in any order). Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed 12 moderating effects of perceived competence between all the variables investigated. No antecedent relations between perceived competence and achievement goals were found.
Contrary to theoretical postulations, perceived competence was found to be a moderator among all the key constructs of the social-cognitive model of achievement goals in sport especially for the game of badminton, and not found to be an antecedent of achievement goals. This could explain for the inconsistent findings on the relations among the key constructs particularly between achievement goals and outcomes. Maladaptive goals do not necessarily lead to negative outcomes when an athlete possesses high perceived competence. Athletes can enhance their positive outcomes (intrinsic motivation and flow) and lower their negative outcomes (pressure and negative thinking) by enhancing their perceived competence especially when changing their implicit theories and achievement goals is unfruitful.
Study two went on to validate the psychometric properties of the 2 x 2 Achievement Goal in Sport Questionnaire (AGS-Q). The factor structure was examined and found to be invariant across both genders and type of sports (individual versus team sports) through multi-group analysis. The moderating effects of perceived competence between implicit theories, achievement goals, and intrinsic motivation were also investigated for the 908 junior college and university athletes from a variety of sports via Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) analysis. Perceived competence was found to moderate the relationship between entity theory and performance-avoidance goals.
Finally, study three further investigated the moderating effects of perceived competence among 110 badminton athletes. They completed the measurements for implicit theories, perceived competence, 2 x 2 achievement goals and outcomes (intrinsic motivation, flow, pressure, and negative thinking) after a badminton match which they had high perceived competence in and again after a low perceived competence match (in any order). Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed 12 moderating effects of perceived competence between all the variables investigated. No antecedent relations between perceived competence and achievement goals were found.
Contrary to theoretical postulations, perceived competence was found to be a moderator among all the key constructs of the social-cognitive model of achievement goals in sport especially for the game of badminton, and not found to be an antecedent of achievement goals. This could explain for the inconsistent findings on the relations among the key constructs particularly between achievement goals and outcomes. Maladaptive goals do not necessarily lead to negative outcomes when an athlete possesses high perceived competence. Athletes can enhance their positive outcomes (intrinsic motivation and flow) and lower their negative outcomes (pressure and negative thinking) by enhancing their perceived competence especially when changing their implicit theories and achievement goals is unfruitful.
Date Issued
2016
Call Number
GV706.4 Chu
Date Submitted
2016