AQA · A-Level · Physical Education
Course version: 7582 · Version from Sept 2016
Achievement motivation theory: Incentive value and probability of success.
Incentive value is the attractiveness or importance of the reward for success, while probability of success is the performer's perceived chance of achieving it.
Checked against the AQA 7582 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 5 of 8
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Incentive value is the attractiveness or importance of the reward for success, while probability of success is the performer's perceived chance of achieving it. These two situational factors interact to shape achievement motivation. A gymnast attempting a difficult new routine may see a high incentive (a medal) but a low probability of success, which can increase avoidance motivation. A netball shooter taking a routine shot sees a moderate incentive and a high probability of success, supporting approach motivation. When incentive is high and probability is realistic, approach motivation is strongest. Coaches can raise probability through practice and progressive challenge, and raise incentive through meaningful rewards, to encourage task persistence.
What earns the marks
- Incentive value is the perceived attractiveness or importance of the reward associated with success.
- Probability of success is the performer's perceived likelihood of achieving the outcome.
- High incentive combined with realistic probability of success tends to produce approach motivation.
- High incentive combined with very low probability of success can produce avoidance motivation and reduced effort.
- Coaches can increase probability of success through progressive practice and increase incentive value through meaningful rewards.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Confusing incentive value with probability of success.
Put it right by defining incentive as the value of the reward and probability as the perceived chance of success.
Believing that a high incentive always increases effort.
Put it right by explaining that if probability of success is very low, the performer may avoid the challenge.
Treating probability of success as an objective fact.
Put it right by noting it is the performer's perception, which may differ from reality.
Ignoring the interaction between the two factors.
Put it right by explaining that motivation depends on how incentive and probability combine.
Exam tips
- Define both terms clearly before explaining their interaction.
- Use a practical example to show how high or low values of each factor change motivation.
- Explain how a coach could adjust incentive value or probability of success to improve performance.
Try the lesson
The start of the Achievement motivation theory: Incentive value and probability of success. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
In achievement motivation theory, what does the incentive value of a sporting outcome describe?
Listen
Incentive value is the attractiveness or importance of the reward for success, while probability of success is the performer's perceived chance of achieving it. These two situational factors interact to shape achievement motivation. A gymnast attempting a difficult new routine may see a high incentive (a medal) but a low probability of success, which can increase avoidance motivation. A netball shooter taking a routine shot sees a moderate incentive and a high probability of success, supporting approach motivation. When incentive is high and probability is realistic, approach motivation is strongest. Coaches can raise probability through practice and progressive challenge, and raise incentive through meaningful rewards, to encourage task persistence. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Incentive value is the perceived attractiveness or importance of the reward associated with success. Probability of success is the performer's perceived likelihood of achieving the outcome. High incentive combined with realistic probability of success tends to produce approach motivation. High incentive combined with very low probability of success can produce avoidance motivation and reduced effort. A common slip: Confusing incentive value with probability of success. Instead, defining incentive as the value of the reward and probability as the perceived chance of success. Exam tip: Define both terms clearly before explaining their interaction.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Incentive value
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Probability of success
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Approach motivation
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Avoidance motivation
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Incentive value
- The perceived attractiveness or importance of the reward associated with success.
- Probability of success
- The performer's perceived likelihood of achieving the outcome.
- Approach motivation
- Motivation that is strongest when incentive is high and probability of success is realistic.
- Avoidance motivation
- Motivation that can be produced when high incentive is combined with very low probability of success, leading to reduced effort.
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