Achievement Goals and Moral Competence in Sport

Abstract

Achievement goal approaches proliferated that mastery goals are associated with higher moral competence compared to performance goals. Several demographic characteristics have also been found to influence this relationship. The 2 × 2 achievement goal approach is the newest development in achievement goal approaches suggesting the existence of four achievement goals: mastery approach, mastery avoidance, performance approach, and performance avoidance. So far there has been no research evidence associating these achievement goals to moral competence and the role of demographic characteristics. The present study was designed to examine the effect of the 2 × 2 achievement goals on moral competence and the moderating role of athletes’ age, experience, playing position, level and league of participation, education, job, and perceived ability. The sample of the study was comprised of 208 football and basketball athletes (Mage = 22.71 years old and SD ±5.09 years). The participants completed a Demographic Characteristics Questionnaire, the Achievement Goals Questionnaire – Sport and the Moral Judgment Test. The results of the moderated hierarchical regression analyses indicated that athletes’ adopting performance goals were associated with low moral competence. This relationship was moderated by several demographic characteristics such as age and experience, level of participation, and perceived ability. Among athletes adopting performance-approach goals, less moral competent athletes were found to be the older, the more experienced, and those participating in professional clubs. Among performance-avoidance-oriented athletes those with high perceived ability revealed less moral competence. No significant effect was found regarding mastery goals. These findings provide important information regarding the effect of achievement goals on moral competence and the role several demographic characteristics can play.