Sports Psychology

Sports Psychology

The role of autonomy-support and enhanced expectations in motivation and learning of a throwing task

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Mandana Heydari 1
Hasan Mohammadzadeh 2
malek Ahmadi 3
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Education, Payam Noor University, Urmia, Urmia, Iran.
2 Professor, Department of Motor Behavior, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.
3 Department of Sport Sciences, Ur, C., Islamic Azad University, Urmia, Iran.
10.48308/mbsp.2023.229798.1179
Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to examine the role of autonomy-support and enhanced expectations in motivation and motor learning.
Methods: Sixty students were randomly assigned into 4 groups of 15 members. These groups were Autonomy Support + Enhanced Expectations (members were provided with the right to choose the throwing spot + received positive feedback on their performance progress); Enhanced Expectations (provided with positive feedback on their performance progress); Autonomy Support (provided with the right to choose the throwing spot); and a Control group (without any instruction). Participants performed a throwing task in the practice phase of 60 trials in a 2 x 2 design, (autonomy-support: Yes/No) * (enhanced expectations: Yes/No). Participants completed the motivation scale and then the retention tests with a delay of 2 hours and 24 hours.
Results: Analysis of variance showed that the main effect of autonomy-support on retention is significant (p=0.008). However, the main effect of enhanced expectations and the interaction effect of the two factors is not significant (p=0.40). In addition, both factors of autonomy-support (p=0.002) and enhanced expectancies (p=0.01) have additive effects on motivation.
Conclusion: The two factors of autonomy-support and enhanced expectations have additive benefits on motivation. Nevertheless, the main mechanism of the effect of these two factors on motor learning can be different.
Keywords
Autonomy-support
Enhanced expectations
Motivation
Motor learning
Subjects
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Sports Psychology
Volume 17, Issue 1
2025
Pages 112-128

  • Receive Date 11 January 2023
  • Revise Date 11 June 2023
  • Accept Date 29 August 2023