A cross-cultural study of achievement orientation and intrinsic motivation in young USA and Korean athletes

Abstract

In this cross-cultural investigation, the A.A. compared USA and Korean athletes' goal orientations and intrinsic motivation. Middle school-aged athletes from two independent samples completed the Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire (TEOSQ) and the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI). A 2 × 3 × 2 (Culture × Grade × Gender) MANOVA on task orientation, ego orientation, and the indices of intrinsic motivation revealed culture, grade, and gender main effects. Athletes from the USA scored higher in task orientation and lower in ego orientation than Korean athletes. Overall, the findings indicate (a) USA athletes were more intrinsically motivated than Korean athletes; (b) athletes in their first year of middle school reported a greater sense of competence in sport than those in their second or final year, and (c) gender differences were small with males scoring higher than females on perceived competence. The findings are discussed relative to cultural influences and athletic demands.