Gender differences in motivation

I was recently asked to write an article on the perceived differences and similarities of the motivational factors between male and female athletes. Are there gender specific motivational trends that are similar between males and females? are there differences? Let’s explore.

 

Motivation can easily be split into two categories, intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic motivation is derived internally from the athletes, for example the fear of failure can be a form of intrinsic motivation. Another example can be the inherent desire to win or “succeed”. Extrinsic motivation is driven by external factors such as rewards e.g. trophies and winning bonuses, or by the athletes need to impress scouts, family, and/or fans.

 

In my opinion female and male athletes utilize both forms of motivation, and the likelihood is that most athletes draw their motivation from a combination of internal and external factors. I believe the most “successful” athletes rely on a larger proportion of intrinsic motivation, as this is ultimately stronger and more able to fight against adversity. Therefore a similarity between male and female athletes is that the more successful they are the more reliant they are on intrinsic motivation, regardless of gender.

 

In youth and adult amateur sports I believe that both genders have a strong need to “fit in” with there peers (extrinsic motivation), though female athletes seem to express this need more than their male counterparts. In lower levels in all sport athletes both genders appear to be more comfortable with all outcomes of the sporting event (win, lose or draw), which I can only assume is because they are driven by internal motivators and not by results orientated goals.

 

In conclusion I do not think that there are any major gender differences in motivational factors. What I suggest is that the motivational differences are between the various levels within each sport, and are not based on gender. As from my experience as a player and coach of varying levels the similarities appear to be with the level of competition of the athlete rather than the gender. Please send me your thoughts on this.

Craig Dalrymple

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