A Qualitative and Quantitative Survey Design of the Benefits of Intrinsic Motivation in Softball Players

Abstract

The purpose of this paper was to identify the benefits of intrinsically motivated softball players versus extrinsically, and the impact their coaches’ behavior plays on their motivation throughout the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). This study was drawn through a Qualtrics survey that was sent out and open to all current members of the NSIC. Subjects were reached via email survey from their current head coach asking/giving them the option to participate in the voluntary survey. The data was drawn and collected from each of the 15 participating schools in the NSIC. Throughout this paper it will be noticed the results from both the athletes and coaches who have used intrinsic motivation while competing. Intrinsic motivation describes an individual who participates in an activity (sport) for internal reasons or benefits (e.g., personal pleasure, excitement, finding the challenge fun or interesting, or personal health benefits.). This paper also analyzes the effects in which coaching behavior plays towards an intrinsically motivated athlete (softball player). The purpose is to help collegiate coaches stray their athletes away from the constant “what can I get?” idea and to help them build more of an intrinsically based motivation for a lifetime.