An approach-avoidance motivations scale for sports

The purpose of this study was to construct a motivations scale for sports based on Nygard and Gjesme's Achievement Motives Scale. A test-retest reliability assessment was conducted on an original 36 item pool. Twenty-eight items were interpreted similarly in excess of 64% of test cases. Content validity and objectivity assessments retained the 28 items in the final versions of the questionnaire. The scale was intended for use in athletic environments for the purpose of measuring levels of motivation to approach success and motivation to avoid failure in training, competition, and the general sporting activity. Standardized administration procedures were developed to be followed when using the tool. An evaluation of the usefulness of the scale was provided. Male (N = 90) and female (N = 86) swimmers at the 1977 Canadian Winter Swimming Championships were compared on the basis of the relationship between approach-avoidance factors and a competition performance index. The related factors were totally different between the groups. A suggestion was made that the aspects of achievement motivation assessed by the tool provided different interpretations of the sporting experience for male and female swimmers. The developed scale was reliable, valid, objective, standardized and useful.