Motivational Traits Research Articles

The effect of practicing some sporting activities on the motivational traits of Top-levels Athletes

The personal characteristics have great importance in the field of sports and the motivational traits are one of the aspects that represent that importance and it is considered one of the most important topics that need to be studied due to its great role in influencing the movement behavior of Top-levels athletes in (volleyball - hockey - handball). The research aims to identify the differences between the three sports activities (volleyball - hockey - handball) in the dimensions of the motivational traits assessment scale of Top-levels athletes. The researcher used the descriptive approach using the survey method because it is relevant to the nature of the research. research sample included (199) Top-levels athletes Recommendations: 1. The Egyptian Federations for Sports Activities under study: The necessity of the presence of a sports psychologist to develop the sports motivation traits within each team (volleyball - hockey - handball). 2. coaches of high-level athletes (under study): It is necessary for the coach to apply the dimensions of the motivational traits assessment scale in sports (drive - aggression - determination - responsibility - leadership - self-confidence - emotional control - mental toughness - coachability - conscientiousness - trust) for Top-levels athletes. 3. Researchers: Conducting more studies on sports motivational traits and their relationship to the rest of the mental processes or psychological skills that have not been studied in all sports activities.

Associations between different white matter properties and reward-based performance modulation.

Humans can be motivated by the prospect of gaining a reward. However, the extent to which we are affected by reward information differs from person to person. A possible mechanism underlying these inter-individual differences may be alterations in white matter (WM) microstructure; however, the relationship between WM properties and reward-based behaviour in healthy participants has not yet been explored. Here, we used a fixel-based approach to investigate potential associations between WM tracts and performance in a reward-cuing task. We found that WM properties in the corpus callosum, right uncinate fasciculus, left ventral cingulum, and accumbofrontal tracts were inversely related to reward-triggered performance benefits (indexed by faster reaction times). Moreover, smaller WM property values in the corpus callosum, uncinate fasciculus, and accumbofrontal tracts were associated with higher scores on the Behavioral Inhibition System scale, reflecting greater sensitivity to potential punishment. Finally, we also observed associations between functional hemodynamic activity in the ventral striatum and WM microstructure. The finding that reward-based behavioural benefits are related to lower measures of WM tracts is in contrast to studies linking higher WM metrics to superior cognitive performance. We interpret the current pattern in terms of higher susceptibility to motivationally relevant stimuli, which is in line with the current and previous studies reporting inverse relationships between WM properties and motivational traits. Taking a broader perspective, such propensities may only be beneficial up to a certain point, at which thesemay become detrimental to performance and even manifest as impulsive and addictive behaviour.

Enhancing creativity by altering the frontoparietal control network functioning using transcranial direct current stimulation

The left angular gyrus (AG), part of the frontotemporal network, is implicated in creative thinking, including verbal creativity tasks such as novel metaphor generation. The current study tested the effects of tDCS over the left AG on two metaphor generation tasks. The study was a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, crossover study of anodal vs. cathodal stimulation by tDCS. Compared to sham, cathodal stimulation resulted in significantly increased novel metaphor generation, while anodal stimulation increased conventional metaphor generation. Higher motivation (behavioral approach system's "fun-seeking") was associated with greater metaphor creativity in the sham condition, and lower fun seeking was associated with producing a greater quantity of conventional metaphors. Following active stimulation, motivation traits no longer contributed to creative metaphor generation. Thus, the beneficial effect of cathodal tDCS over the left AG in generation of novel metaphors is through restraining the control network. The current study gives a glimpse into the neural basis for creative thinking.

Motivation, Attitudes, and Diet Quality Among US Parents and Adolescents

Objectives: In this paper, we assessed interdependent associations between food-related psychosocial traits and diet quality (ie, healthy and ultra-processed food consumption) among parent-adolescent dyads. Methods: This secondary analysis used data from the Family, Life, Activity, Sun and Health (FLASHE) study, which measured diet and other health behaviors in American parent-adolescent dyads (N = 1646). Actor-Partner Interdependence Models were used to apply a dyadic extension of the Theory of Planned Behavior and Social Determination Theory constructs (motivation, attitudes and self-efficacy) in relation to healthy and ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption. Results: Parent (b = 0.46, p < .01) and adolescent motivation (b = 0.42, p < .01) had positive actor effects on healthy food consumption. Parental attitudes had a negative actor effect (b = -0.20, p < .01) and adolescent attitudes had a positive actor effect (b = 0.34, p < .01) on healthy food consumption. Parent (b = -0.18, p < .01) and adolescent motivation (b = -0.14, p < .01) had negative actor effects on UPF consumption. No significant partner effects were found. Conclusions: Food-related psychosocial traits are associated with parent and adolescent diet quality. Interventions and guidelines that aim to strengthen an individual's ability to make healthful dietary choices, particularly those focused on reducing UPF consumption, are warranted, and may benefit from drawing on behavioral theories, especially those focused on motivational traits.

Early and late signals of unexpected reward contribute to low extraversion and high disinhibition, respectively.

Like socio-economic status and cognitive abilities, personality traits predict important life outcomes. Traits that reflect unusually low or high approach motivations, such as low extraversion and high disinhibition, are linked to various forms of mental disorder. Similarly, the dopamine system is theoretically linked to approach motivation traits and to various forms of mental disorder. Identifying neural contributions to extremes of such traits should map to neural sources of psychopathology, with dopamine a prime candidate. Notably, dopamine cells fire in response to unexpected reward, which suggests that the size of non-invasive, scalp-recorded potentials evoked by unexpected reward could reflect sensitivity in approach motivation traits. Here, we evaluated the validity of evoked electroencephalography (EEG) responses to unexpected reward in a monetary gain/loss task to assess approach motivation traits in 137 participants, oversampled for externalizing psychopathology symptoms. We demonstrated that over the 0-400ms period in which feedback on the outcome was presented, responses evoked by unexpected reward contributed to all theoretically relevant approach motivation trait domains (disinhibition, extraversion and the behavioural activation system); and did so only at times when dopamine responses normally peak and reportedly code salience (70-100ms) and valuation (200-300ms). In particular, we linked "dopaminergic" salience and valuation to the psychopathology-related constructs of low extraversion (social anxiety) and high disinhibition (impulsivity) respectively, making the evoked potential components biomarker candidates for indexing aberrant processing of unexpected reward.

The Creative Trait Motivation Scales

Most studies investigating the effects of motivation on creativity have employed a social-psychological approach and used a dichotomous conceptualization of motivation (i.e., intrinsic and extrinsic). However, trait motivation may exist on a continuum and, although individual differences in motivation have also been found to predict creativity, no scales exist to directly assess creative trait motivation. The current report describes two studies examining the factor structure and psychometric properties of the creative trait motivation (CTM) scales. In the first study, participants (N = 580) completed three domain-specific scales (art, everyday, and science) and a well-established measure of creative self-perception. All three CTM scales demonstrated a similar factor structure, strong internal consistency for each of the factors, and evidence for construct validity. In the second study, the factor structures of the three scales were replicated employing a different sample (N = 597). The scales continued to demonstrate strong internal consistency and additional evidence for construct validity was provided, using well-established scales of both creativity and trait motivation. Together, the studies demonstrate that the domain-specific CTM scales are valuable tools for assessing creative trait motivation.

Measuring the Level of Sports Motivation Traits of Male and Female Football Players in Upper Egypt

Measuring the Level of Sports Motivation Traits of Male and Female Football Players in Upper Egypt

The Measurement of Goal Orientation in Sport: Psychometric Properties of the Polish Version of the Perception of Success Questionnaire (POSQ)

The main aim of the study is a comprehensive assessment of psychometric properties of the Polish version of Perception of Success Questionnaire (POSQ) in sport. Apart from standard psychometric evaluation, the paper presents an analysis of item reliability through the use of Item Response Theory, as well as the analysis of relationships between sport type, level of participation, gender and goal orientation level. The study covered 412 people aged M = 23.46 (SD = 5.40). The Perception of Success Questionnaire (POSQ), the Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire (TEOSQ) and the Sport Motivation Scale (SMS-28) were used. High reliability of POSQ ego subscale (α = 0.89, ω = 0.89) and POSQ task subscale (α = 0.90, ω = 0.91) were noted. The test-retest correlations at the two-week interval were ICC = 0.91 for ego subscale, and ICC = 0.71 for task subscale, respectively. Confirmatory factor analysis showed a relatively good fit of the two-factor model to the data (CFI = 0.94). Relationships between the goal orientation measured by the POSQ questionnaire and motivational traits measured by TEOSQ and SMS-28 were obtained. It was also shown that high-performance athletes had higher scores on the ego factor than recreational athletes. Moreover, men had higher scores on the ego factor than women. The Perception of Success Questionnaire (Polish version) is characterized by satisfactory psychometric properties and can be used for scientific research and diagnosis.

The Role of Goals and Needs in the Authentic Self in Work and Family Domains

Despite an abundance of empirical research, scholars have noted a lack of theory to undergird work-family studies and have called for a greater focus on theory to truly advance understanding of the work-family interface (Eby, Casper, Lockwood, Bordeaux, & Brinley, 2005; Matthews, Wayne, & McKersie, 2016). As such, the current symposium brings together four empirical papers – three quantitative and one qualitative – that are well-grounded in motivation and identity theories to shed new light on the work-family interface. The culmination of these papers provide insights into how one’s identity (i.e., possible self, relational self) and motivation traits (i.e., regulatory focus, need satisfaction) can influence work and family – both domain-specific and personal life outcomes (i.e., well-being). Thus, this symposium offers a richer view of how the authentic self and motivated behavior can influence the work and family domains. The symposium will conclude with comments and discussion by prolific work-family scholar, Jeff Greenhaus, who will share his perspective on how these papers grounded in their theories and methodological designs, foster better understanding of the work-family interface. Mom, Dad, Employee?: The Transition Back to Work as a New Parent Presenter: Shannon Cheng; Rice U. Presenter: Brook Lu; Rice U. Presenter: Eden King; Rice U. “Who Am I Without Work?” How Relationship Aspirations Threaten the Work Devoted Self Presenter: Carrie Oelberger; U. of Minnesota Fluctuations in Conflict and Enrichment and Changes in Cynicism: The Impact of Regulatory Focus Presenter: Wayne S. Crawford; U. of Texas At Arlington Presenter: Nicolina Leeann Weaver; U. of Texas At Arlington Self-Determination Theory: How Being Your Authentic Self Influences Work and Family Outcomes Presenter: Marla White; UT Arlington Presenter: Julie Holliday Wayne; Wake Forest U. Presenter: Wendy J. Casper; U. of Texas At Arlington Presenter: Russell A. Matthews; U. of Alabama Presenter: Heather Odle-Dusseau; Gettysburg College

Examining Gender Differences, Personality Traits, Academic Performance, and Motivation in Ukrainian and Polish Students of Physical Education: A Cross-Cultural Study.

Background: This study examined the relationship of academic performance with the Big Five traits of personality, academic motivation, and gender in a cross-cultural context. Methods: Participants in the study were 424 university students of physical education (PE) departments from Poland (53%) and Ukraine (47%). Undergraduates completed a brief version of the International Personality Item Pool (Mini-IPIP) to assess the Five-Factor model of personality, the Academic Motivations Scale (AMS), and grade point average (GPA). Results: Polish PE students scored higher in emotional stability and extroversion and had a higher GPA than Ukrainian PE undergraduates. Gender differences were found in both personality traits and academic motivation scales. Intrinsic motivation may predict academic performance. Conscientiousness and intellect emerged as mediators of the relationship between intrinsic motivation and academic performance and gender was found as a moderator in the relationship between conscientiousness and academic success. Conclusions: Women are more motivated regarding academic achievements than men. In addition to intrinsic motivation, the most important factors for academic grades are some personality traits, gender, and cultural differences. Openness and conscientiousness in men are mediators between intrinsic motivation and academic performance. The results of this study may be useful for PE academic teachers to improve the motivation of their students.

Exploring perceptional typology of social media quitters and associations among self-esteem, personality, and motivation

ABSTRACT This study examined why people voluntarily left social media and organised their reasons into perceptional typology. Additionally, it explored relationships among perceptional types, self-esteem, motivation, and personality traits. This study utilised Q methodology, a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods that is ideal for analysing subjective elements like complex human perceptions or opinions in any situation. Fifty persons in their twenties who voluntarily closed or deactivated their social media account(s) for more than six months were recruited in Korea. Those who left social media of their own accord were sorted into four types. Significant differences in self-esteem and personality traits between cognitive types were also found. This study gave novel descriptive stories of those who quit social media, and categorised the opinions of those who voluntarily closed their accounts. This study extended previous research on social media fatigue and systematically analysed actual quitters’ perceptions based on ample discourse; it will theoretically contribute to the development of measuring scales and an understanding of the complexity of social media fatigue. For practical application, social media companies should pay a lot of attention to social media fatigue and quitters, come up with ways to minimise adverse effects and establish growth strategies.

Work Motivations and Compensations in Inventive Jobs

This paper studies employee–pay interactions in jobs characterized by heterogeneous work motivations and compensation methods. We posit that individual-level differences in the balance between self-oriented and institution-oriented motivational traits reflect differences in employees’ value-appropriation strategies, with self-oriented employees being more likely than institution-oriented employees to link their remuneration to merit-pay schemes. Data on 5,253 employees in industrial research confirm our prediction and show that merit-pay compensation leads self-oriented employees to earn a lower average income, but with a larger dispersion, than institution-oriented employees. We investigate the reasons for this evidence and discuss the implications for the design of incentive schemes in jobs that are critical for firms’ competitive advantages, but in which effort and output are subjectively evaluated and uncertain.

The Mediating Role of Psychological Capital between Motivational Orientations and Their Organizational Consequences.

Just as we can speak of different personality traits, it is also possible to identify distinct motivational traits, which may be related to a series of organizational consequences. In this sense, understanding how these traits are related to workers performance is fundamental. Specifically, the purpose of this study is to test the mediating role of psychological capital in the relationship between such traits and organizational citizenship behaviors and counterproductive work behaviors, which is expected to be more significant in the first case. The study was carried out using a panel design, with a sample group of Spanish employees aged over 40 (n = 741), in two waves (with a 4-month interval). The results support the hypothesis that psychological capital resources may play a mediating role in some of the relationships explored and that approach orientation traits are mainly related to a better performance, fostering organizational citizenship behaviors and diminishing counterproductive work behavior. The findings show that employees who develop their personal resources may have a positive impact on their organizations. The implications of this study for counseling practices are discussed.

Measurement Invariance and Intergenerational Parallelism of General Self-Efficacy in Adolescent and Parent Dyads.

General self-efficacy refers to global beliefs about one’s capabilities across a variety of tasks or conditions. It is regarded as an important, relatively stable, motivational trait, and is associated with positive outcomes in a wide range of domains. The general self-efficacy scale (GSE) is the most commonly used measure to evaluate general self-efficacy among adults and youths. This study aimed to examine the measurement invariance of the GSE across age groups among adolescent and parent dyads, and to investigate the intergenerational parallelism of general self-efficacy and the moderating roles of parents’ gender and family socioeconomic status (SES). Participants were 807 adolescent/parent dyads. Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis revealed that full metric and scalar measurement invariance held. Regression analysis showed that parents’ self-efficacy significantly predicted their children’s self-efficacy (β = 0.232, p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis indicated family SES played a moderating role (β = 0.066, p < 0.001), although parents’ gender did not (β = −0.053, p = 0.288). The results demonstrated the GSE’s measurement invariance across age, and further supported use of the GSE among adults and adolescents. Moreover, our findings provided evidence for the presence of this kind of intergenerational parallelism and the moderating role of family SES.

Investigating stable and dynamic aspects of student motivation using generalizability theory

BackgroundThe Academic Motivation Scale (AMS) is a commonly used 28‐item measure of motivation orientation. However, the scale has not been examined using methods to distinguish between state and trait aspects of motivation. We applied Generalizability Theory to appraise the psychometric properties of the AMS and to differentiate items measuring state or trait motivation within the AMS.MethodsOne hundred and thirty medical students completed the 28‐item AMS at three time points. Generalizability Theory was applied to examine the generalizability of the AMS (total and sub‐scales) and to estimate state and trait aspects of student motivation.ResultsThe overall AMS showed high generalizability (G = .93) in assessing student motivation across student populations and occasions, whereas the AMS subscales demonstrated low levels of generalizability. The majority of the AMS items scored high for the state component index suggesting movement between motivational priorities while maintaining the overall stability of the individual motivation levels.ConclusionsThe total AMS is suitable as a reliable measurement of motivation among student populations with high generalizability of scores across students and assessment occasions. Measuring trait motivation using the total AMS score instead of subscale scores reduces measurement error and optimises instrument reliability.

Network Hiring, Firm Performance and Growth

Network hiring — i.e. the preference for hiring workers who are referred by existing employees or have shared affiliations with them — is a prevalent practice across many industries. Considerable research shows that hiring within a firm's network provides soft information about potential hires as well as informal mechanisms of control once they join a company. While research shows that in-network hires perform better, little is known about the firm-level performance implications and the associated trade-offs of this practice. In this article, we study the impact of network hiring by using data on the universe of firms in Portugal between 1994 to 2017. We find that network hiring appears to increase firm performance but at the expense of growth. Furthermore, network hiring seems to provide firms with information on intrinsic motivation traits of the candidates, rather than information on skills. We conclude with a discussion on how this practice should affect the strategy of firms, particularly young ones.

Physical Activity Promotion Message Perceptions Biased by Motivational Dispositions

The delivery of physical activity (PA) promotion messages is an important component of any PA intervention. Gain-framed messages appear beneficial for prevention (rather than detection) behaviors such as PA, but the effects are small and inconsistent. It is possible that these effects are moderated by motivational traits, but this has not been systematically tested in the context of PA promotion messages. This study tested whether motivational traits interact with message features to influence basic subjective perceptions of a standardised set of very brief PA promotion statements. Fifteen statements were developed across five conditions, manipulated according to frame and kernel state. Participants (n=800) rated statement content using semantic differential scales reflecting perceived gains/losses, costs/benefits, and positive/negative outcomes. Traits and PA were measured by survey. Structural equation models revealed that ratings of gain-framed statements were positively related to approach motivation, and ratings of loss-framed statements were negatively related to avoidance motivation. Observations support the presence of a congruency effect of motivational traits and message frame on basic perceptions of message content. Future studies should test the impact of these biases on indices of persuasion (attitude and intention) as well as intervention reach and effectiveness.

Why We Eat What We Eat: Assessing Dispositional and In-the-Moment Eating Motives by Using Ecological Momentary Assessment.

BackgroundWhy do we eat? Our motives for eating are diverse, ranging from hunger and liking to social norms and affect regulation. Although eating motives can vary from eating event to eating event, which implies substantial moment-to-moment differences, current ways of measuring eating motives rely on single timepoint questionnaires that assess eating motives as situation-stable dispositions (traits). However, mobile technologies including smartphones allow eating events and motives to be captured in real time and real life, thus capturing experienced eating motives in-the-moment (states).ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine differences between why people think they eat (trait motives) and why they eat in the moment of consumption (state motives) by comparing a dispositional (trait) and an in-the-moment (state) assessment of eating motives.MethodsA total of 15 basic eating motives included in The Eating Motivation Survey (ie, liking, habit, need and hunger, health, convenience, pleasure, traditional eating, natural concerns, sociability, price, visual appeal, weight control, affect regulation, social norms, and social image) were assessed in 35 participants using 2 methodological approaches: (1) a single timepoint dispositional assessment and (2) a smartphone-based ecological momentary assessment (EMA) across 8 days (N=888 meals) capturing eating motives in the moment of eating. Similarities between dispositional and in-the-moment eating motive profiles were assessed according to 4 different indices of profile similarity, that is, overall fit, shape, scatter, and elevation. Moreover, a visualized person × motive data matrix was created to visualize and analyze between- and within-person differences in trait and state eating motives.ResultsSimilarity analyses yielded a good overall fit between the trait and state eating motive profiles across participants, indicated by a double-entry intraclass correlation of 0.52 (P<.001). However, although trait and state motives revealed a comparable rank order (r=0.65; P<.001), trait motives overestimated 12 of 15 state motives (P<.001; d=1.97). Specifically, the participants assumed that 6 motives (need and hunger, price, habit, sociability, traditional eating, and natural concerns) are more essential for eating than they actually were in the moment (d>0.8). Furthermore, the visualized person × motive data matrix revealed substantial interindividual differences in intraindividual motive profiles.ConclusionsFor a comprehensive understanding of why we eat what we eat, dispositional assessments need to be extended by in-the-moment assessments of eating motives. Smartphone-based EMAs reveal considerable intra- and interindividual differences in eating motives, which are not captured by single timepoint dispositional assessments. Targeting these differences between why people think they eat what they eat and why they actually eat in the moment may hold great promise for tailored mobile health interventions facilitating behavior changes.

Формування мовного ландшафту міста: соціолінгвістичний аспект

The paper is devoted to the problem of forming Christchurch language landscape on the material of hodonyms from city’s foundation up to nowadays taking into consideration the process or renaming city’s line objects. The main periods of forming Cristchurch hodonymics caused by extralingual factors are defined. The source base of mechanism creation is investigated. The thematic groups of hodonyms based on motivation traits are determined. The structural and semantic peculiarities of hodonyms and ways of their creation are analyzed. The study of the extralinguistic factors permits to define four main periods in the city’s development (I – 1848-1906 years; II – 1907-1948 years; III – 1949-1986 years; IV – 1987 year – up nowadays). Taking into consideration the fact that language landscape is closely connected with the historical, social and political changes in the life of Christchurch dwellers and the state as a whole the authors make conclusion that the formation of hodonymy system of Christchurch coincides with the periodisation of city’s history. As the study material shows the system of hodonyms is unstable and changeable (some nominations of line objects exist for more than 140 years without any changes; others live only 2-3 years and change their names; some undergo the process of renaming etc.). As for the renaming process it was the most evident in 1877, 1904, 1922, 1926, 1948, 2013 years. The authors determine the reasons for renaming the line objects which can be of extralinguistic and linguistic character. Each period of hodonymy creating and functioning has its specific features revealing in motivational traits which create the basis of hodonyms. Depending on the motivation traits the thematic groups are defined for each period. It is noted that thе first two are characterized by nominations based on the traits demonstrating New Zealand’ s Britishness; while the last two – with the desire of New Zealand to be independent. It is proved that all hodonyms are created from three sources: from onyms, from appellatives and from both mentioned above. The predominant hodonyms during each period are the first ones. The structural analysis demonstrates that most of the nominations contain a key word denoting a road type and the attribute. The last one consists of 2 or 3 components. The most productive models of attributes are N + N, Adj. + N, Num. + N, PI + N.

Longitudinal measurement invariance and stability of individual interest across a 16‐week introductory animal sciences course

AbstractEducators often compare quantitative scores on motivational traits across time (e.g., pre‐ and post‐semester), yet few studies have examined the longitudinal measurement equivalence of such traits or described typical trajectories. Our research explored the longitudinal measurement of individual interest in two cohorts of an introductory animal sciences course across four measurement occasions during a 16‐week semester. First, we modified an existing individual interest scale and validated it within our population (CFI = 1.00, SRMR = .02, RMSEA = .05). Second, we established partial scalar invariance across measurement occasions through nested model comparisons. Third, we described the trajectory of individual interest with latent growth curve models (LGCM). Individual interest started high for both cohorts (intercepts = 65.02, 61.06 on a scale from 0 [low] to 70 [high] for Fall 2018 and Spring 2019, respectively). Individual interest followed a curvilinear pattern in Fall 2018; however, no significant shape trends described Spring 2019 data. Overall, our results show that individual interest can be measured equivalently across a semester; however, it follows heterogenous trajectories. Further research is needed to improve the sensitivity of individual interest scales within high‐interest populations and relate heterogenous interest trajectories to classroom experiences.