| To date, no one has developed an adequate self-report measure of sports intrinsic motivation. Thus, sports intrinsic motivation was conceptualized in terms of challenge, competence and self-determination, and emotions and affects; and three studies were conducted to develop a trait measure of sports intrinsic motivation--the Sports Intrinsic Motivation Scale (SIMS).;In study 2, responses from 152 wrestlers were examined. The SIMS scores were significantly and positively related to the scores on the Self Motivation Inventory, the Trait Sport-Confidence Inventory, perceived abilities/success, enjoyment, and reported frequency of sport participation. The SIMS scores were significantly and negatively related to the discrepancies between perceptions of and preferences for three coaching behaviors (training and instruction, democratic, and social support dimensions of the Leadership Scale for Sports (LSS)). The SIMS scores were marginally significantly and negatively related to both the LSS positive feedback discrepancy scores and the Sport Competition Anxiety Test score. The SIMS is unidimensional, had a.94 coefficient alpha, and a test-retest reliability of.85 over a one month interval.;In study 3, responses from 185 undergraduates were examined. The SIMS scores were significantly and positively related to the scores on a sport-specific version of the Task Reaction Questionnaire Intrinsic Motivation Scale, the Participation Motivation Questionnaire subscales which are intrinsic motivation oriented (i.e., fun/excitement/challenge, and skill development), and reported frequency of sport participation. The SIMS scores were not significantly related to both the scores on the Social Desirability Scale and the Academic Intrinsic Motivation Subscale. The SIMS is unidimensional and had a.94 coefficient alpha.;In all, the evidence suggests that the SIMS is a highly reliable and valid self-report measure which will facilitate field research in intrinsic motivation in sports.;In study 1, responses from 547 undergraduates were examined. The 156 potential items were reduced to 40 items by using factor analysis and item analysis. The SIMS is unidimensional, had a.96 coefficient alpha, and was significantly and positively related to reported frequency of sports participation. |
