Examination of the Integrative Relationship Among the Factors of Achievement Goal Theory and Self-Determination Theory

For almost a decade researchers (Biddle, Soos, & Chatzisarantis, 1999; Wang & Biddle, 2007) have been advocating for studies that advance our understanding of the ways in which AGT and SDT are related in the exercise domain. Despite the fact that researchers have been stressing the importance of empirical tests of the convergence of the two theories, there has yet to be a satisfactory study in response to this demand. Further, existing studies that have attempted to even partially address the issue have been methodologically flawed (Biddle et al., 1999; Ntoumanis, 2001). The purpose of this study was to establish a conceptual model that consists of relating the dimensions of SDT and AGT to each other, and to test a model linking the two theories. A complete model of the relationships among the dimensions of the AGT and two subtheories of SDT (e.g., organismic integration theory and cognitive evaluation theory) was developed and tested using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Questionnaires developed based on the three theoretical explanations were completed online. The online survey was comprised of four measures: Perceptions of Success Questionnaire-Exercise (POSQ-E), Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire: Intrinsic Motivation Subscale (BREQ), Exercise Motivation Scale (EMS), and Psychological Need Satisfaction in Exercise Scale (PNSE). Several structural models were tested to examine the integrative relationships among the theories. Results showed that, when compared with ego orientation, task orientation had a stronger influence on need satisfaction and internalized behavioral regulations. In addition, need satisfaction predicted behavioral regulations. Findings also suggested that both ego and task orientations not only influence behavioral regulations for exercise directly, but also indirectly through satisfaction of the needs for competence, autonomy, and relatedness.