SOCIAL GOALS, PERCEIVED LOCUS OF CAUSALITY AND CAUSAL ATTRIBUTIONS IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Abstract

The objective of this study sought to investigate the association of social goals, perceived locus of causality, and causal attributions with achievement goal orientations in physical education in three countries representing different cultural contexts. The total sample consisted of 2168 secondary students, 423 of which were from Costa Rica, 408 from Mexico, and 1337 from Spain (50.4% boys; 12.5±0.8 years). Bivariate correlations and hierarchical linear regression models were used to examine associations between the variables of interest in the three countries. Significant mean differences in each of the variables were observed across countries. Although interesting differences were observed, associations among variables of interest were generally consistent across countries and in line with predictions stemming from the literature. Findings highlight the importance of social responsibility goals, self-determined regulations, and internal attributions to student motivation and engagement in physical education.