Motivational profiles and their outcomes in physical education. A complementary study on 2x2 achievement goals and self-determination

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the goals and motivational profiles of a sample of 359 Spanish adolescent physical education students, and their relationship with psychological mediators such as perceived competence or social relationship, and motivational outcomes such as effort, bo- redom, and the intention of future practice. Cluster analysis revealed four motivational profiles: “Mastery goals”, “High achievement goals”, “Performance goals” and “Low achievement goals”. The “High achievement goals” cluster was the most self-determined, followed by the “Mastery goals” cluster. Both earned the most positive results in terms of relationship, perceived competence, effort, and intention of future practice. The “Low achievement goals” cluster was the most motivationally controlled, and together with the “performance goals” cluster were the most maladaptive. It is suggested that teachers should prioritize mastery goals without neglecting the associated encouragement of performance goals.