Rachel Miller
PE - 126 Sport Psychology
Professor Skinner
Activity #4: Food for Motivational Thought
Answer the following questions based on your own experiences in sport and physical activity.
1.​ Define the two main aspects of motivation.
There are two main aspects to motivation: direction and intensity. The direction aspect tells us
where you are putting your effort in. Whereas the intensity aspect lets us know how much of your
effort you are putting in. There are many more aspects to motivation, like intrinsic and extrinsic
motivation, which we will get to learn more about in chapter 7; however, the main ones are
direction and intensity of effort.
2.​ How has the direction of your effort varied in different sports, physical education,
or exercise settings? Provide some examples.
Growing up, I participated in competitive dance and often found myself trying to go in the
direction of the next best thing in order to succeed. However, when I had to run a mile in an
actual P.E. class, my focus shifted, and I was much more careless if I did the best or not
(although that does not mean I did not try!). The first studio I was at ended up closing, and I
joined another, more competitive studio. Another example would be my recent efforts to start
going to the gym and living a more active lifestyle since no longer dancing after high school.
3.​ How has the intensity of your effort varied in different sports, physical education, or
exercise settings? Provide some examples.
When I was younger and actively moving my body every day, I was in the best shape of my life
(I am 23 years old now). Then, I was doing intense workouts and had much more stamina. Now,
I try to do some of the things I was able to do not too long ago, and I can hardly do half. When I
participated in dance, the intensity of my effort was far beyond where I am at right now.
4.​ What are the key points of the trait-centered view of motivation? Provide an
example of what someone who holds that view might say.
The trait-centered or participant-centered view perceives the level of motivation from an
individual as dependent on an individual's characteristics, consistency, and internal mindset.
Someone who holds this view true to them might say, “You are either born with drive or you are
not.”
5.​ What are the key points of the situation-centered view of motivation? Provide an
example of what someone who holds that view might say.
In the situation-centered view, it is the complete opposite of the trait-centered view and is
perceived to be the situation, environment, or external factors that determine the level of
motivation from an individual. Someone who holds this view true to them might say, “An
individual’s success may be determined by if they are in a calm environment as opposed to a
stressful one.”
6.​ What are the key points of the interactional view of motivation? Provide an example
of what someone who holds that view might say.
The interactional view of motivation is somewhat of a combination of the two, trait-centered and
situation-centered, as it looks at the factors of both and how they work together or effect each
other to determine an individual’s level of motivation. Someone who holds this view true to them
might say, “A person’s level of motivation is affected by outside factors as well as their personal
ambition. Just like positive feedback can improve performance, or stress can decrease it.”