Describe TWO ways in which extrinsic motivation can affect an athlete's performance. Provide examples to support your answer. (4 marks)
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- Positive extrinsic motivation through rewards can enhance performance by increasing effort and focus. Athletes may train harder when pursuing tangible goals like prize money or selection for representative teams. For example, a swimmer aiming for Olympic selection might increase training intensity and technical refinement to achieve qualifying times.
- However, excessive external pressure can create anxiety and reduce performance quality. When athletes become overly focused on external rewards, they may experience heightened stress levels during competition. For instance, a tennis player competing for a major sponsorship deal might become tense during crucial points, leading to increased unforced errors and poor decision-making under pressure.
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- Positive extrinsic motivation through rewards can enhance performance by increasing effort and focus. Athletes may train harder when pursuing tangible goals like prize money or selection for representative teams. For example, a swimmer aiming for Olympic selection might increase training intensity and technical refinement to achieve qualifying times.
- However, excessive external pressure can create anxiety and reduce performance quality. When athletes become overly focused on external rewards, they may experience heightened stress levels during competition. For instance, a tennis player competing for a major sponsorship deal might become tense during crucial points, leading to increased unforced errors and poor decision-making under pressure.