ELEMENTS OF THE COMPETITIVE SITUATION THAT AFFECT INTRINSIC MOTIVATION

Effects on intrinsic motivation of three elements of the competitive s ituation (viz., competitive set, competitive outcome, and interpersona l context) were explored. Participants solved puzzles with a same-sex confederate under one of five experimental inductions, and intrinsic m otivation was assessed by subsequent free-choice behavior and self-rep ots of interest/enjoyment. As predicted by cognitive evaluation theory , competitive outcome (viz., winning vs. losing) and interpersonal con text (wiz., pressured vs. nonpressured) affected intrinsic motivation. Path analyses showed that (a) winning (relative to losing) increased intrinsic motivation by enhancing perceived competence and (b) a press ured (relative to nonpressured) interpersonal context decreased intrin sic motivation by diminishing perceived self-determination Further, co mpetence valuation-the importance one places on doing well-related pos itively to perceived competence, perceived self-determination, and int rinsic motivation.