How does expectancy-value theory apply to motivation in sport?

How does expectancy-value theory apply to motivation in sport?

• A. Motivation is driven by expectancy of success and perceived value of the task; antecedents shape expectations and valuations, guiding effort.
• B. Motivation is determined solely by genetic factors.
• C. Motivation is only influenced by coach pressure.
• D. Motivation is static and unchangeable.

Answer: (A)

Expectancy-value theory in sport says motivation comes from two judgments athletes make about a task: how likely they are to succeed if they try, and how valuable the task is to them. In practice, this means a player will be more motivated to train and compete when they believe effort will lead to improvement or victory (high expectancy) and when the outcome matters—like personal growth, team success, rewards, or recognition (high value). Antecedents such as past performance, feedback from coaches, current skill level, and how difficult the task is shape these beliefs, guiding how much effort, persistence, and focus they invest. If the athlete feels capable and sees meaningful reasons to pursue the task, motivation rises; if either belief is weak or the effort costs feel too high, motivation drops. Coaches can boost motivation by helping athletes experience small successes, connect practice to meaningful goals, and clarify the value of training and competition.

Expectancy-value theory in sport says motivation comes from two judgments athletes make about a task: how likely they are to succeed if they try, and how valuable the task is to them. In practice, this means a player will be more motivated to train and compete when they believe effort will lead to improvement or victory (high expectancy) and when the outcome matters—like personal growth, team success, rewards, or recognition (high value). Antecedents such as past performance, feedback from coaches, current skill level, and how difficult the task is shape these beliefs, guiding how much effort, persistence, and focus they invest. If the athlete feels capable and sees meaningful reasons to pursue the task, motivation rises; if either belief is weak or the effort costs feel too high, motivation drops. Coaches can boost motivation by helping athletes experience small successes, connect practice to meaningful goals, and clarify the value of training and competition.