Achievement Motivation for Learning in Physical Education Class: A Cross-Cultural Study in Four Countries

Abstract

This study was designed to compare the strength of achievement motivation for learning in physical education among 6,835 junior and high school pupils in Japan, 908 in the United States of America, 686 in Canada, and 698 in England. The Achievement Motivation in Physical Education Test developed by Nishida was administered to assess achievement motivation for learning in physical education. In comparison with the pupils of the other three countries, Japanese pupils showed lower scores on the positive aspects of achievement motivation for learning in physical education or tendency to achieve success, and they were higher on the negative aspects of achievement motivation or tendency to avoid failure. These results could be attributed to such cultural factors as orientation toward affiliation, enjoyment of taking part in some groups, and tendency to establish or maintain positive affective relations with other persons, which the Japanese pupils would traditionally express.