Students' attitudes and perceived purposes of physical education in Singapore: Perspectives from a 2 × 2 achievement goal framework

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to re-examine the relationships between achievement goals and perceived purposes of PE, perceived motivational climates, attitudes towards PE teachers and affective outcomes using the 2 × 2 achievement goal framework. Questionnaires were completed by 493 secondary school students (222 males, 262 females, 9 missing) in Singapore. Cluster analysis revealed three distinct clusters that differed significantly in their achievement goals profiles. One cluster consisting of high scores on mastery approach, mastery avoidance and performance avoidance achievement goals was linked to the most positive set of characteristics and outcomes, while the cluster with low achievement goals was linked to most negative characteristics and outcomes. There was another cluster with moderate levels of mastery approach that had relatively positive perceptions and attitudes towards PE. The findings of these three goal profiles provide insight and add knowledge to the existing literature. Research that ignores the independence of the 2 × 2 achievement goal framework may risk making spurious conclusions.

Comportements des lycéens et buts perçus en éducation physique à Singapour: perspectives à partir du modèle des buts d'accomplissement en 2 × 2 Le sujet de la présente étude est d'examiner à nouveau les relations entre les objectifs de réussite et la perception des buts de l'EPS, la perception des climats motivationnels, les comportements envers leurs professeurs d'EPS et les conséquences affectives de l'utilisation du 2 × 2. Quatre cent quatre-vingt-treize lycéens de Singapour (222 garçons, 262 filles, 9 absents) ont rempli des questionnaires. Des analyses de groupements ont révélé trois groupements distincts et significativement différents sur le profil de leurs objectifs d'accomplissement. L'un d'eux, regroupant des scores élevés sur l'approche de la maîtrise, l'évitement de la maîtrise et l'évitement de la performance, était lié aux caractéristiques et aux conséquences les plus positives alors que celui regroupant les objectifs de réussite les plus bas était lié aux caractéristiques et aux conséquences les plus négatives. L'autre groupement rassemblait des niveaux moyens d'approche de la maîtrise avec des perceptions et attitudes assez positives envers l'EPS. La définition de ces trois profils d'objectifs donne un aperçu et clarifie ce que l'on peut trouver dans la littérature. Une recherche qui ignorerait l'autonomie des facteurs du 2 × 2 risquerait d'aboutir à des conclusions erronées.

n Actitudes y propósitos percibidos por estudiantes de educación física en Singapur: perspectivas en el marco del sistema 2 × 2 de las metas de logro El objetivo del presente estudio fue reexaminar las relaciones existentes entre metas de logro y propósitos percibidos en la educación física, climas motivacionales percibidos, actitudes hacia sus profesores de educación física y resultados afectivos, utilizando el sistema 2 × 2 de metas de logro. Cuatrocientos noventa y tres estudiantes de la escuela secundaria (222 hombres, 262 mujeres, 9 desaparecidos) de Singapur cumplimentaron los cuestionarios. El análisis de cluster reveló la existencia de tres clusters distintos que diferían significativamente en sus perfiles en cuanto a metas de logro. Un cluster, constituido por altas puntuaciones en acceso a la maestría, evitación de la maestría y evitación del rendimiento, fue vinculado a la serie más positiva de características y resultados, mientras que el cluster con bajas puntuaciones en las metas de logro fue vinculado a las características y resultados más negativos. Hubo otro cluster con niveles moderados en acceso a la maestría que presentó una relativa percepción y actitud positiva hacia la educación física. Los hallazgos en torno a estos tres perfiles de metas proporcionan nuevas intuiciones y añaden conocimiento a la literatura existente. Una investigación que ignora la independencia del sistema 2 × 2 de las meta de logro sería un peligro por cuanto podría conducir a conclusiones falsas.

Zusammenfassung Einstellungen von Studierenden und die wahrgenommenen Ziele von Bewegungserziehung in Singapur: Perspektiven eines 2 × 2 faktoriellen Untersuchungsdesigns für Leistungsziele Ziel der Studie war es die Beziehungen zwischen Leistungszielen und wahrgenommenen Zielen der Bewegungserziehung, wahrgenommenem motivationalem Klima, Einstellungen gegenüber den Sportlehrern und den affektiven Ergebnissen unter Verwendung eines 2 × 2 faktoriellen Untersuchungsdesigns für Leistungsziele zu überprüfen. 493 Sekundarschüler (222 männlich, 262 weiblich, 9 fehlende Angabe) aus Singapur beantworteten Fragebögen. Eine Clusteranalyse führte zu drei Clustern, die sich signifikant in ihren Leistungsprofilen unterschieden. Ein Cluster mit hohen Werten in der Könnensannährung, Könnensvermeidung und Leistungsvermeidung war gebunden an die stärksten positiven Merkmale und Ergebnisse währen der Cluster mit niedrigen Leistungszielsetzungen an die höchsten negativen Merkmale und Ergebnisse gebunden war. Es gab einen anderen Cluster mit moderaten Niveaus der Könnensannäherung, der eine relativ positive Wahrnehmung von und Einstellung zur Bewegungserziehung hatte. Die Erkenntnisse über diese drei Zielprofile gewährleisten Einblicke und ergänzen die existierende Literatur. Forschungsarbeiten, die die Unabhängigkeit des 2 × 2 faktoriellen Designs für Leistungsziele ignorieren laufen Gefahr falsche Schlüsse zu ziehen.

Keywords

achievement goals attitudes enjoyment perceived purposes of PE physical education

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