Sport Psychology: Motivation, Intrinsic and Extrinsic
In sport psychology, motivation is the internal and/or external drive that determines whether a performer takes part in an activity, how much effort they put in, and how long they persist, especially when the activity becomes difficult.
Before you start
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Method
- Identify whether the motivation described in the scenario comes from within the performer, such as enjoyment or personal pride, or from an outside source, such as a reward, praise or a trophy, to classify it as intrinsic or extrinsic.
- If extrinsic, decide whether the reward is tangible, a physical object or prize, or intangible, praise, recognition or applause, since examiners may ask for this finer distinction.
- Explain why intrinsic motivation is generally seen as more valuable for long-term participation: it does not rely on an outside source continuing to provide rewards, so it sustains effort and enjoyment even when no one is watching or rewarding the performer.
- Explain the risk of over-using extrinsic rewards, especially tangible ones: if a performer starts to compete only for the reward, their intrinsic motivation and enjoyment of the activity itself can be undermined once the reward stops.
- For questions about improving a performer's motivation, suggest specific, matched strategies: for a beginner, extrinsic rewards and intangible praise can build early confidence and encourage them to keep attending, alongside goal setting so success also builds genuine, intrinsic satisfaction.
- For extended questions, weigh both sides: acknowledge a role for extrinsic motivation in the scenario given, but argue for building intrinsic motivation as the priority for lasting participation, with a supported conclusion.
Worked example
A 12-year-old has just joined an athletics club. His coach wants him to keep attending training every week over the coming year. Suggest one way the coach could use extrinsic motivation and one way she could build the boy's intrinsic motivation, and explain why relying on extrinsic motivation alone would be risky in the long term.
- Suggest an extrinsic strategy: the coach could give him a small reward or certificate, a tangible reward, or specific verbal praise, an intangible reward, when he completes a session or improves.
- Suggest an intrinsic strategy: the coach could help him notice and enjoy his own progress and effort, for example through SMART goals he can track himself, building a genuine sense of personal achievement and enjoyment of the sport itself.
- Explain the risk of relying on extrinsic motivation alone: if he starts training mainly to earn rewards or praise, his effort and attendance may drop sharply once the rewards stop or become less frequent.
- Link this back to long-term participation: because intrinsic motivation does not depend on an outside source, building his own enjoyment and sense of achievement is more likely to keep him training for years, not just while rewards are on offer.
- Conclude: the coach should use extrinsic rewards to support him early on, but should prioritise building intrinsic motivation for his participation to last.
Practice questions
Try each question, then tap to reveal the answer.
Q1Give one example of intrinsic motivation.Show answer
Answer: For example, the satisfaction or enjoyment a performer feels from taking part or from a job well done, coming from within themselves.
Q2Classify a 'man of the match' trophy as tangible or intangible extrinsic motivation.Show answer
Answer: Tangible - it is a physical reward the performer can keep.
Q3Classify a coach's applause and verbal praise as tangible or intangible extrinsic motivation.Show answer
Answer: Intangible - it is a non-physical form of recognition.
Q4Explain one risk of relying too heavily on tangible extrinsic rewards to motivate a young performer.Show answer
Answer: The performer's motivation may become dependent on the reward, so effort and enjoyment can fall sharply once the reward is no longer offered, potentially undermining their intrinsic motivation.
Q5Why is intrinsic motivation generally seen as more important than extrinsic motivation for long-term participation in sport?Show answer
Answer: Because it comes from within the performer and does not rely on an outside source continuing to provide rewards, so it can sustain effort and enjoyment indefinitely.
Q6Give one way a coach could help build a performer's intrinsic motivation, other than through rewards.Show answer
Answer: For example, through SMART goal setting, so the performer experiences a genuine sense of personal achievement and progress.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a GCSE Physical Education exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
A junior swimming club gives every child a certificate at the end of each term, regardless of their improvement. Explain, using the concept of extrinsic motivation, one benefit and one possible drawback of this policy for the children's long-term participation.
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A youth football coach currently motivates his team almost entirely with medals and prizes for winning matches. Several parents report that some players seem to have lost interest in football once their team stopped winning trophies. Discuss why this might be happening, and suggest how the coach could change his approach to sustain the players' motivation in the long term.
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See real GCSE Physical Education past-paper questions, with official mark schemes →
Free printable worksheet
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