Exploring Adaptability of Control-value Theory to Elementary School Judo Players

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the adoptability of control-value theory to sport achievement situation. The participants of the study were 16 elementary school judo players. The participants were all boys, aged from 10 to 13 (Mean=11.81, SD=.91) and have participated in Judo for 2-4 years (Mean=2.81, SD=.98). Semi-structured focus group and personal interviews were setup for data collection. Reflective writings related to emotions were collected from the participants for the period of research. The collected data were analyzed through the comparison of coded elements in terms of emergent categories. The data indicated that emotions related to performance achievement depended on the perceived controllability of games and its value. If the competition was seen as being controllable and valued positively, enjoyment was instigated. However, if they feel controllable but feel negative in their competition, anger was experienced. When competition was valued, but they felt no sufficient control in their game, frustration was experienced. When the game was valued neither positively nor negatively, boredom could be experienced. These imply that subjective value moderates the effects of perceived control on achievement emotions. Research findings in this research were congruent with control-value achievement emotion theory in general academic context. However, positive control and values were not always leading to successful results.