Conceptualised within the Reversal theory of M. J. Apter is the concept of metamotivational dominance. Dominance is the tendency of an individual to spend longer periods in one metamotivational state, rather than in the other member of the pair which they constitute together. This study examined the nature of telic dominance in male sports performers. Three groups of performers categorised as “professional”, “serious amateur”, and “recreational” were subjects. Telic dominance was measured using the Telic Dominance Scale. Analysis showed that professionals scored significantly higher than the other two groups on 2 of the 3 subscales and on the combined score for telic dominance.
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