Sport Psychology: Motivation, Intrinsic and Extrinsic - Worksheets, Questions and Revision

19 original exam-style questions - 5 pages of questions with a full mark scheme - free printable PDF.

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This topic is chapter 7 of GCSE Physical Education: Sport psychology Practice Book.

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4.7 Sport Psychology: Motivation, Intrinsic and Extrinsic

AQA 8582 · Calculators not allowed · about 55 minutes

Total Marks

Name: _______________________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______

Answer ALL questions. Show all your working.

For each performer below, state whether their main source of motivation described is intrinsic or extrinsic.

(a)"Leon trains because he loves the feeling of improving his personal best time."(1)

(b)"Priya trains hard because her club pays a bonus for every medal she wins."(1)

(c)"Harun keeps practising his free throws because he finds the challenge satisfying, even when nobody is watching."(1)

(d)"Zara works hardest in the weeks before the trophy presentation evening."(1)

(Total for Question 1 is 4 marks)

State two intrinsic benefits a performer might feel after successfully completing a difficult skill for the first time.

(Total for Question 2 is 2 marks)

Discuss the roles of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in sport, using a named performer and a named sporting situation of your choice, and evaluate the risks of relying too heavily on extrinsic rewards.

(Total for Question 3 is 9 marks)

State one reason a professional athlete's motivation might be mostly extrinsic, even if they also enjoy their sport.

(Total for Question 4 is 2 marks)

Suggest one strategy a coach could use to keep a talented performer's intrinsic motivation strong, even after they have already won several extrinsic rewards.

(Total for Question 5 is 2 marks)

State whether the following is intrinsic or extrinsic motivation: a rower who says 'I train because I love the feeling of the boat moving fast through the water.'

(Total for Question 6 is 1 mark)

Motivation can be classified as intrinsic or extrinsic.

(a)Describe what is meant by 'intrinsic motivation', giving a sporting example.(2)

(b)Describe what is meant by 'extrinsic motivation', giving a sporting example.(2)

(Total for Question 7 is 4 marks)

Explain why a performer who is mainly intrinsically motivated may be more likely to persist with their sport after a long-term injury than one who is mainly extrinsically motivated.

(Total for Question 8 is 3 marks)

Explain why a coach might focus praise mainly on effort and improvement with a group of complete beginners, but focus praise mainly on results with an experienced, high-level squad.

(Total for Question 9 is 2 marks)

A junior athletics club gives every child a participation sticker at the end of every session, regardless of effort or improvement. Explain one strength and one weakness of using this approach to try to build the children's long-term intrinsic motivation for athletics.

(Total for Question 10 is 3 marks)

Freya's coach lets her choose which two skills she wants to focus on in this week's training session, rather than setting the whole session for her. Explain how giving Freya some choice and control over her training could help build her intrinsic motivation.

(Total for Question 11 is 2 marks)

A swimming coach currently motivates her squad mainly through extrinsic rewards: a certificate for every personal best, and small prizes for the fastest improvers each term. Evaluate whether this approach is likely to be effective for building the squad's motivation over a multi-year swimming career, and suggest what, if anything, the coach could add or change.

(Total for Question 12 is 6 marks)

State two sporting examples of extrinsic motivation.

(Total for Question 13 is 2 marks)

Which of the following is the best example of intrinsic motivation?

A) A swimmer training hard because she loves the feeling of gliding through the water
B) A footballer training hard for a place on the sponsored kit deal
C) A boxer training hard for prize money
D) A runner training hard to win a cash bonus for a personal best

(Total for Question 14 is 1 mark)

Explain why intrinsic motivation is generally considered more likely than extrinsic motivation to help a performer stay involved in a sport over a long period of time.

(Total for Question 15 is 3 marks)

Explain why goal setting (see the SMART principle) can be an effective way to build intrinsic motivation.

(Total for Question 16 is 3 marks)

Explain why extrinsic rewards can still be a useful, appropriate tool for a coach to use with a complete beginner in a sport.

(Total for Question 17 is 2 marks)

State two things a coach might observe in a performer's behaviour that could suggest they are mainly intrinsically, rather than extrinsically, motivated.

(Total for Question 18 is 2 marks)

Amelia is a talented young gymnast. Her parents start paying her £5 for every training session she attends, on top of the enjoyment she already gets from the sport.

Explain a possible risk of introducing this cash reward for Amelia's motivation in the long term.

(Total for Question 19 is 3 marks)

Mark scheme · 4.7 Sport Psychology: Motivation, Intrinsic and Extrinsic

Question 1

(a) B1 intrinsic
(a) Answer: Intrinsic.
(b) B1 extrinsic
(b) Answer: Extrinsic.
(c) B1 intrinsic
(c) Answer: Intrinsic.
(d) B1 extrinsic
(d) Answer: Extrinsic.

Question 2

B1 any one of: a sense of pride, satisfaction, achievement, or enjoyment, oe
B1 a second, distinct feeling from the list above, oe
Answer: For example, a sense of pride and a feeling of satisfaction.

Question 3

Level 3 (7-9): A detailed and coherent response that accurately distinguishes intrinsic from extrinsic motivation, applies both specifically to the named performer/situation, and evaluates the risk of over-reliance on extrinsic rewards with a balanced judgement. Sustained, accurate use of sport psychology terminology throughout.
Level 2 (4-6): Mostly accurate description of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation with some application to the named performer/situation, and some evaluation of over-reliance on rewards, though this may be underdeveloped or one-sided. Generally correct use of terminology.
Level 1 (1-3): Basic or generic statements about motivation with little or no accurate distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic sources and little specific application to the named example.
Level 0 (0): No relevant content.
Indicative content:
- Intrinsic motivation: drive that comes from within the performer, e.g. enjoyment, pride, personal satisfaction, mastery of a skill.
- Extrinsic motivation: drive that comes from an outside source, split into tangible rewards (e.g. trophies, medals, money) and intangible rewards (e.g. praise, applause, recognition).
- Application: a reasoned link between the named performer's situation and which type of motivation is likely driving them at that point (e.g. a beginner motivated mainly by enjoyment; an elite performer partly motivated by sponsorship/prize money).
- Benefit of extrinsic motivation: rewards can genuinely boost effort and give a beginner an early reason to engage before intrinsic enjoyment has developed.
- Risk of over-reliance on extrinsic rewards: it can reduce a performer's intrinsic motivation over time, so the performer becomes dependent on the reward rather than motivated by their own enjoyment.
- Risk of over-reliance on extrinsic rewards: since rewards are not guaranteed (not every season/competition ends in a prize), a performer relying mainly on them risks a drop in motivation if the rewards stop.
- Risk of over-reliance on extrinsic rewards: rewards given regardless of genuine performance (e.g. participation trophies for everyone) can lose their motivational value because they no longer reflect real achievement.
- Evaluative point: the two types are not mutually exclusive; most performers are motivated by a mix of both, and a coach's aim is usually to build strong intrinsic motivation as the stable foundation, using extrinsic rewards carefully alongside it rather than as a replacement for it.

Question 4

B1 their livelihood/income depends on performing well, oe
B1 prize money, sponsorship or contract terms give a strong external reason to perform, beyond enjoyment alone, oe
Answer: A professional athlete's livelihood and income depend on performing well, so prize money, sponsorship and contract terms give them a strong external reason to perform, beyond their enjoyment of the sport alone.

Question 5

B1 a valid strategy, e.g. setting new personal/process goals beyond the rewards already won, or focusing feedback on enjoyment and mastery rather than only results, oe
B1 linked reasoning, e.g. this keeps the performer's own sense of progress and enjoyment central, rather than motivation depending entirely on further external prizes, oe
Answer: The coach could set new personal or process goals beyond the rewards already won, keeping the performer's own sense of progress and enjoyment central, rather than motivation depending entirely on further external prizes.

Question 6

B1 intrinsic motivation
Answer: Intrinsic motivation.

Question 7

(a) B1 motivation that comes from within the performer/internal feelings, oe
(a) B1 sporting example, e.g. enjoyment of playing, personal pride, or satisfaction from mastering a skill, oe
(a) Answer: Intrinsic motivation comes from within the performer, for example enjoying the game itself or feeling proud of mastering a new skill.
(b) B1 motivation that comes from an outside/external source, oe
(b) B1 sporting example, e.g. a trophy, prize money, praise from a coach, or applause from a crowd, oe
(b) Answer: Extrinsic motivation comes from an outside source, for example winning a trophy or prize money.

Question 8

B1 a long-term injury is likely to mean missed competitions/reduced chances of extrinsic rewards during recovery, oe
B1 a mainly extrinsically motivated performer may lose motivation to work through rehabilitation if the usual external rewards are absent for a long period, oe
B1 an intrinsically motivated performer's reason to return (enjoyment, personal satisfaction) does not depend on those external rewards, so it can sustain them through a difficult recovery period, oe
Answer: A long-term injury usually means missed competitions and reduced chances of winning extrinsic rewards during recovery, so a mainly extrinsically motivated performer may lose their drive to work through rehabilitation, whereas an intrinsically motivated performer's reason to return, such as enjoyment or personal satisfaction, does not depend on those external rewards and can sustain them through a difficult recovery period.

Question 9

B1 beginners are still developing basic skill, so a good result (e.g. winning) may be rare or largely out of their control, so praising effort and improvement gives them something achievable to be recognised for, oe
B1 an experienced squad has already mastered the basics, so a strong result becomes a realistic, meaningful measure of their performance, and praising effort alone may feel patronising or fail to reflect genuinely high standards, oe
Answer: Beginners are still developing basic skill, so a good result may be rare or largely out of their control, so praising effort and improvement gives them something achievable to be recognised for. An experienced squad has already mastered the basics, so a strong result is a realistic, meaningful measure of their performance, and praising effort alone could feel patronising or fail to reflect genuinely high standards.

Question 10

B1 strength: it can help young beginners feel included and valued, which can encourage them to keep attending in the short term, oe
B1 weakness: because every child receives the same sticker no matter how they performed, it gives no specific information about what any individual child did well, so it cannot help them recognise or repeat the behaviours that led to real progress, oe
B1 weakness continued: without that specific link to genuine improvement, the sticker is unlikely to build the sense of personal competence that underlies long-term intrinsic motivation, oe
Answer: Strength: it can help beginners feel included and valued, encouraging attendance in the short term. Weakness: because every child receives the same sticker no matter how they performed, it gives no specific information about what any individual child did well, so it cannot help them recognise the behaviours that led to real progress, and without that link to genuine improvement it is unlikely to build the sense of personal competence that underlies long-term intrinsic motivation.

Question 11

B1 having some choice and control over her training can increase her sense of ownership of her own progress, oe
B1 this supports intrinsic motivation, because she is more likely to be genuinely engaged with sessions she has had a say in, rather than simply following instructions, oe
Answer: Having some choice and control over her training increases Freya's sense of ownership of her own progress, and she is more likely to be genuinely engaged with sessions she has had a say in rather than simply following instructions.

Question 12

Level 3 (5-6): A detailed, well-applied evaluation covering short-term strengths of the current approach (e.g. engagement, recognition of genuine progress) and longer-term risks (e.g. over-reliance on external reward, motivation dropping once rewards stop or become harder to earn), reaching a clear judgement with a specific, relevant suggested addition or change. Sustained, accurate use of motivation terminology.
Level 2 (3-4): Some accurate points on the strengths and/or weaknesses of the current approach, with a judgement or a suggested change present but underdeveloped or only partly applied to a multi-year career.
Level 1 (1-2): Basic or generic comments about rewards and motivation with little development, little evaluation and no clearly applied suggestion.
Level 0 (0): No relevant content.
Indicative content:
- Certificates for personal bests reward genuine individual improvement, which is more specific than a reward simply for attending, so this element does link to real progress.
- Prizes for the fastest improvers only reach a small number of swimmers each term, so swimmers who are not among the fastest improvers may receive little or no extrinsic reward, which could reduce their motivation.
- An approach based mainly on extrinsic reward risks motivation dropping if the rewards ever stop, or if a swimmer's rate of improvement naturally slows as they reach a higher standard, since rewards then become harder to earn.
- Over a multi-year career, intrinsic motivation (enjoyment of the sport, personal mastery, pride in performance) is generally considered more sustainable than reliance on external reward alone.
- A suggested addition might be building in SMART goal setting, so every swimmer, not just the fastest improvers, has a personally relevant target to work towards.
- A suggested addition might be increasing specific praise and feedback for effort and technique, since this is available to every swimmer regardless of where they finish.
- Balanced judgement: the current approach is not without value, especially for engagement and recognising progress, but is unlikely to be sufficient on its own to sustain motivation across a full swimming career and should be used alongside strategies that build intrinsic motivation.

Question 13

B1 any one valid example, e.g. a trophy, medal, prize money, or praise/applause, oe
B1 a second, distinct valid example, oe
Answer: For example, winning a medal and receiving applause from the crowd.

Question 14

B1 A
Answer: A

Question 15

B1 intrinsic motivation comes from within the performer (e.g. genuine enjoyment), so it does not depend on external rewards continuing to be offered, oe
B1 extrinsic rewards are not always guaranteed (e.g. not every season ends in a trophy), oe
B1 a performer relying mainly on extrinsic rewards may lose motivation once those rewards stop or become harder to achieve, whereas a performer who is intrinsically motivated keeps their reason to continue regardless, oe
Answer: Intrinsic motivation comes from within the performer, so it does not depend on external rewards continuing to be offered; because extrinsic rewards are not guaranteed every season, a performer relying mainly on them may lose motivation once the rewards stop, whereas an intrinsically motivated performer keeps their reason to continue regardless.

Question 16

B1 achieving a well-set, realistic goal gives the performer genuine, self-generated evidence of their own progress, oe
B1 this creates a real feeling of achievement/satisfaction, which comes from within the performer, oe
B1 unlike an externally given reward, this feeling does not depend on anyone else, so it can be repeated every time a new goal is achieved, sustaining motivation, oe
Answer: Achieving a well-set, realistic goal gives the performer genuine, self-generated evidence of their own progress, creating a real feeling of achievement that comes from within them; unlike an externally given reward, this feeling does not depend on anyone else, so it can be repeated every time a new goal is achieved, sustaining motivation.

Question 17

B1 a beginner may not yet have built up their own intrinsic enjoyment of the sport, oe
B1 a small, genuinely earned extrinsic reward can give them an initial reason to keep participating while their intrinsic motivation has a chance to develop, oe
Answer: A beginner may not yet have built up their own intrinsic enjoyment of an unfamiliar sport, so a small, genuinely earned extrinsic reward can give them an initial reason to keep participating while their own intrinsic motivation has a chance to develop.

Question 18

B1 any one of: continuing to train hard even when no reward/prize is on offer, oe
B1 a second, distinct observation, e.g. still practising after a defeat with no prize at stake, or choosing to play recreationally/for fun outside of formal competition, oe
Answer: For example, continuing to train hard even when no reward or prize is on offer, and choosing to play the sport recreationally for fun outside of formal competition.

Question 19

B1 over-reliance on an extrinsic reward can reduce a performer's intrinsic motivation over time, oe
B1 Amelia may begin to attend training mainly for the money rather than for her own enjoyment of the sport, oe
B1 if the cash reward were later removed, her motivation to train could then drop, since the enjoyment-based motivation that used to sustain her may have weakened, oe
Answer: Over-reliance on an extrinsic reward such as a cash payment can reduce a performer's intrinsic motivation over time; Amelia may begin to attend training mainly for the money rather than for her own enjoyment, so if the payment were later removed, her motivation to train could drop, since the enjoyment-based motivation that used to sustain her may have weakened.

Sport Psychology: Motivation, Intrinsic and Extrinsic - Worksheets, Questions and Revision

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4.7 Sport Psychology: Motivation, Intrinsic and Extrinsic

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