Motivating Individuals in Physical Activity.

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Nicola Quincey            The Psychology of Individuals in Groups and Sport SPO 1004      13th Dec 2002

Essay- Motivating Individuals in Physical Activity

Motivation can be defined as “the internal and external stimuli, which arouse and direct behaviour” (Sage G.H 1974 as quoted in Sport and P.E).

To understand motivation, we must first understand what motivates us as humans. Few issues can claim to be more central to human behaviour than motivation.  We can recognize that much behaviour can contribute notably to an individual’s healthy life-style, however at the same time substantial difficulties are often faced by many people when attempting to start off, maintain, or resume involvement in physical activity. Maintaining exercise motivation is one of the biggest barriers one has to face. The key to exercise and motivation is to outline what an individual wants in a philosophical manner. In order to be truly motivated, you must enjoy the exercise and what you get out of it.  In order to find and uphold commitment, one must find ways to help continue exercise and ways to achieve it.

It is suggested that we have two basic motives that “require fulfilment, our physiological and psychological needs” (Maslow 1954 as quoted in Sport and P.E).  Each performer has a differing of needs that motivate them to participate.  Intrinsic motivation can be used to clarify how performers endeavour inwardly, being self-determined and autonomous in making an attempt to develop competence or excellence.  A person who is intrinsically motivated will want to take part in an activity for its own sake, just for their pure love of the sport.  For example an individual may want to learn how to play squash as a form of recreation, or just simply, to develop their fitness levels.  

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There are many strategies a coach or teacher can utilize to control and maintain motivational intrinsic values, within a performer.  A coach could make use of positive and negative reinforcement.  They would need to be aware of the effect that reinforcers have and how to use them effectively to ensure appropriate learning.  Positive reinforcement involves the use of a stimulus to create feelings of satisfaction to encourage a repetition of the performance. This could involve praise from a coach or emphasizing the feeling of completing a set goal.  “Success itself can act as a reinforcer” (Hodder et al 2000) ...

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