Used book – Motivation in Physical Education and Sport, Collective

Why do students or athletes display such a variety of behaviors, both positive and negative, during physical education classes or in sports clubs? The extent of their investment in the tasks offered, their preference for a particular physical and sports activity (PSA), their will to win, their persistence in the face of adversity, etc., are examples of positive behaviors. Conversely, abandoning sports practice, mental disengagement during a game, absence from PE class, etc., are examples of negative behaviors. This book provides numerous answers. After defining what is meant by motivation, the author offers a precise description of the main fundamental concepts that help to understand this psychological process. He presents a wide range of concrete examples, thus creating the necessary link between abstract theoretical concepts and what actually happens on the field. Indeed, in recent times, the motivation of athletes has been studied extensively; this has resulted in an abundance of scientific discoveries and competing theories, making it very difficult to provide a comprehensive description of these interesting but fragmented results. The author shows how these different partial theories of motivation can be integrated into a more general theory of motivational self-regulation: control theory.