Abstract

MARTIN-ALBO, José; GONZALEZ-CUTRE, David  and  NUNEZ, Juan L.. The issue of interactional hypothesis in self-determination theory: a proposal of a new motivation quality index. Anal. Psicol. [online]. 2014, vol.30, n.1, pp.267-277. ISSN 1695-2294.  https://dx.doi.org/10.6018/analesps.30.1.135031.

The postulates of self-determination theory have been frequently gauged by a measure of motivation quality called self-determination index (SDI). This index relies on an interactional hypothesis. According to this hypothesis, intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation are not independent constructs; on the contrary, when one increases the other decreases. However, the literature on the subiect has revealed that these constructs are orthogonal and thus SDI presents measurement problems. Considering these limitations, the obiective of this research was to propose and test the effectiveness of a new way to calculate a motivation quality index (PMI: positive motivation index). Two athletes' samples were used. Results of the two studies carried out showed that PMI fit better the self-determination theory postulates than SDI did. Positive correlations were found between the satisfaction of basic psychological needs and PMI, and between PMI and positive emotions. Finally, results provided preliminary support for the use of the new motivation quality index proposed from the framework of self-determination theory.

Keywords : Self-determination theory; sport; motivational profiles; positive emotions.

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