Mirko Wegner * and Thomas Teubel **
(*) University of Bern, Institute of Sport Science, Switzerland
(**) Business School Berlin Potsdam, Germany
Citation
Wegner, M., Teubel, T. (2014). The implicit achievement motive predicts match performances and the explicit motive predicts choices for target distances in team sports. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 45(6), 621-638. doi:10.7352/IJSP.2014.45.621
Abstract
Motivational research over the past decade has provided ample evidence for the existence of two distinct motivational systems. Implicit motives are affect-based needs and have been found to predict spontaneous behavioral trends over time. Explicit motives, in contrast, represent cognitively based self-attributes and are preferably linked to choices. The present research examined the differentiating and predictive value of the implicit vs. explicit achievement motives for team sports performances. German students (N = 42) completed a measure of the implicit (Operant Motive Test) and the explicit achievement motive (Achievement Motive Scale- Sport). Choosing a target distance was significantly predicted by the explicit achievement motive measure. By contrast, repeated performances in a team tournament were significantly predicted by the implicit measure. Results are in line with findings showing that implicit and explicit motive measures are associated with different classes of behavior.
Keywords: Achievement motivation, Decision making, Explicit motive, Implicit motive, Performance, Team sports