IB Sports, exercise and health science C.3.1 Achievement Motivation Questionbank

(a) Goal orientation theory (Nicholls) states that success can be judged in two ways. State the two orientations.

(b) Classify each runner's goal as task-oriented or ego-oriented.

(c) Using the figure, compare the effort maintained by task- and ego-oriented athletes in a difficult task.

(d) Explain why high task orientation is associated with greater perseverance and effort.

(e) A coach wants to build task orientation. Outline two strategies they could use.

Why might a high ego orientation be problematic for an athlete’s confidence if task orientation is low?

A coach notices one athlete thrives when competing against others, while another thrives when improving personal skills. Which theory best explains this?

According to goal orientation theory, why does a task-oriented athlete tend to have higher resilience?

A sprinter with high ego orientation but low task orientation who fears being judged by peers after poor trials

A swimmer with high task orientation and low ego orientation who focuses on process goals regardless of outcome

A basketball player with low ego orientation and low task orientation who enters competitions casually and infrequently

A tennis player with high task orientation and high ego orientation who trains with both internal goals and social drive

The athlete becomes less competitive.

The athlete’s confidence is only based on outperforming others.

The athlete focuses on skill mastery instead of winning.

The athlete’s confidence decreases when they do not outperform others.

Self-determination theory

Goal orientation theory

Attribution theory

Need achievement theory

Because success is defined by self-improvement rather than comparison with others

Because they ignore emotional factors

Because they persist through setbacks by viewing effort and learning as part of progress

Because they avoid challenging goals