Intrinsic Versus Extrinsic Motivational Orientation in Physical Education and Sport

S ummary . Two studies are reported on an intrinsic/extrinsic motivation orientation scale for the classroom modified for physical education settings and used with British children. The modified scale used was the Motivational Orientation in Sport Scale (MOSS). Prior research with both the classroom and MOSS scale has been with American children. Study 1 ( N =122) showed that for 12‐year‐old boys and girls the factorial structure of the MOSS did not match the hypothesised five factors from the American research. However, internal reliability of the subscales was generally adequate and there were no significant relationships between subscale scores and a measure of social desirability. Study 2 was a small‐scale investigation of the MOSS in an actual physical education context. Twelve‐year‐old boys ( N =24) participated in an endurance run task. Scores from the run were correlated in the expected direction with three of the subscales.