Autonomie als Prädiktor intrinsischer Motivation im Schulsport : Eine Person × Situation-Perspektive

Abstract

Autonomy support is considered as an important predictor of intrinsic motivation in sport environments. Referring to previous studies, which showed that the relationship between autonomy and motivation is influenced by an autonomy disposition, we aim to test the underlying fit hypothesis of intrinsic motivation in physical education classes. It is assumed that autonomy-supportive instructions are especially beneficial for people with a strong autonomy disposition, in contrast to people with a weaker autonomy disposition. In an experimental design, 45 participants were assigned to either an autonomy-supportive (AF) condition, an autonomy-restrictive (AE) condition, or a control condition. After the experimental manipulation, intrinsic motivation in a basketball-based task was assessed. As assumed, people with a strong autonomy disposition showed a significantly higher intrinsic motivation in the AF group compared with participants with a weak autonomy disposition. Taken together, our results support a differential view on autonomy support in physical education classes.