Influence of Significant Others on High School Students’ Expectancies of Success and Task Value in Physical Education

Abstract

This study examined the perceived influence of significant others’ beliefs on students’ expectancies of success and task value in physical education (PE). PE students (N = 231) between Grades 9 and 12 participated. Multiple regressions examined the influence of perceived parents’, teachers’, and classmates’ beliefs on students’ ability expectations and task value. Findings revealed that perceptions of parents’, teachers’, and classmates’ beliefs concerning ability expectations and attainment value were positive predictors of students’ own beliefs and attainment value for PE. Perceptions of parents’ and classmates’ utility value were significant in predicting students’ utility value for PE. Higher ability expectancies, attainment value, and utility value were related to lower intrinsic motivation. Higher attainment value predicted lower extrinsic motivation, and higher utility value predicted lower social motivation. In conclusion, perceptions of parents’, teachers’, and classmates’ ability expectancies, attainment value, and utility value positively predicted students’ ability expectancies, attainment value, and utility value.Subscribe to TPE