The Effects of Motivational Goal Priming on Cortisol and Psychological Responses in Males Exposed to an Ego-Involving Climate

Abstract

Abstract Research in Achievement Goal Perspective Theory (AGPT) suggests that creating a caring/task-involving climate can have many beneficial effects on participants in physical activity settings, even buffering the physiological response to stress. However, less is known about how individuals might buffer that response when an ego-involving climate is out of their control. This study examined the potential for a motivational priming session to buffer the psychophysiological stress response to an ego-involving climate in a physical activity setting. Male college students (N = 38) between the ages of 18 and 30 years (M_age=20.68,SD=2.66) participated in a juggling session characterized by an ego-involving climate. Prior to juggling, the experimental group received a motivational priming session that briefly reviewed the body of AGPT literature, while the control group received information on the history of Sport Psychology. Cortisol was measured at five time points throughout the study via saliva samples. Participants also completed pre- and post-measures of self-reported anxiety and self-confidence (CSAI-2). After controlling for background characteristics that may affect cortisol levels, results showed a marked increase (as measured by percent change from baseline) in the control group, but not the experimental group. However, psychological responses were stable across groups.