The Relations between Competitive Experiences in Mid-Childhood and Achievement Motives among Male Wrestlers

Abstract

The 1970 Achievement Motives Scale of Gjesme and Nygård was administered to 78 adolescent and more mature male wrestlers. Athletes answered three questions about content of training and competitions between the ages of 7 and 12 yr. The data indicate that early emphasis on achievement training contributes to the development of achievement motivation among wrestlers. Those who start training early and succeed, between the ages of 7 and 12 yr., develop a higher motive for success than those who start at a later stage. However, at the same time, data indicate that the earlier children start, the harder they are matched during training and competition before the age of 12. Inexperienced athletes have to compete against more experienced ones, and participation at this age is related to experience of failure. Consequently, high frequencies of training and competitive intensity in early, inexperienced years contribute to the development of fear of failure motivation. Results are discussed and pedagogical implications considered.