Goal Orientations and Perceptions of the Motivational Climate Created by Significant Others

This study examined the relationship between goal orientation and perceptions of the motivational climate created by significant others among young athletes, and determined gender differences in dispositional goal orientation and perceptions of the motivational climate. Participants completed the Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire to determine dispositional goal orientation, two versions of the Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire‐2 to assess perceptions of the motivational climate for a sport setting and a PE class, and the Parent‐Initiated Motivational Climate Questionnaire‐2 to measure perceptions of the motivational climate created by parents. Results indicated that goal orientations were differentially related to the perceived motivational climate created by significant others. Specifically, task orientation was related to perceptions of a task involving climate created by the coach and by both parents. Ego orientation, on the other hand, corresponded to the perception of an ego involving climate in sport, a success without effort climate created by the father, and a worry‐conductive climate created by both parents. The findings are discussed in terms of their implications for the potential influence of socialization processes on goal orientation.

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Notes on contributors

Sally A. White

Sally A. White is with Towson University, USA

Maria Kavussanu

Maria Kavussanu is with Loughborough University, UK

Shannon M. Guest

Shannon M. Guest is with the University of Iowa, USA.