Abstract
Most attempts to influence intrinsic motivation have focused on contextual support for basic need satisfaction, including
the provision of autonomy support, structure, and interpersonal involvement (e.g., Edmunds et al. in Eur J Soc Psychol 38:375–388,
2008). This study explored the extent to which another factor, expectations for task variety, influenced interest, enjoyment,
and locus of causality in a novel exercise setting. Results showed that participants exposed to messages about variety in
an exercise class enjoyed the class more, found it more interesting, and perceived greater internal causality than those who
received messages about similarity in the class. Moderator analyses indicated that expectations of task variety were particularly
conducive for task interest among participants who usually demonstrated lower intrinsic motivation for exercise. Discussion
focuses on the relevance of these findings to self-determination theory and on opportunities for future research.
the provision of autonomy support, structure, and interpersonal involvement (e.g., Edmunds et al. in Eur J Soc Psychol 38:375–388,
2008). This study explored the extent to which another factor, expectations for task variety, influenced interest, enjoyment,
and locus of causality in a novel exercise setting. Results showed that participants exposed to messages about variety in
an exercise class enjoyed the class more, found it more interesting, and perceived greater internal causality than those who
received messages about similarity in the class. Moderator analyses indicated that expectations of task variety were particularly
conducive for task interest among participants who usually demonstrated lower intrinsic motivation for exercise. Discussion
focuses on the relevance of these findings to self-determination theory and on opportunities for future research.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-8
- DOI 10.1007/s11031-012-9294-5
- Authors
- James Dimmock, School of Sport Science, Exercise and Health, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
- Ben Jackson, School of Sport Science, Exercise and Health, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
- Leslie Podlog, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Utah, 250 S. 1850, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- Christian Magaraggia, School of Sport Science, Exercise and Health, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
- Journal Motivation and Emotion
- Online ISSN 1573-6644
- Print ISSN 0146-7239