Metas de logro 2 × 2 en estudiantes Españoles de Educación Física

Different studies have recently shown the utility of applying the approach and avoidance constructs to achievement goals, considering that people can have as a goal to demonstrate their competence or to avoid their incompetence. The objective of this paper is to validate the 2 × 2 Achievement Goals in Physical Education Scale (Guan, Xiang, McBride, & Bruene, 2006) in the Spanish context. To achieve this, a sample of 813 students in physical education classes –420 boys and 393 girls–, of ages 12 to 16 years,was used. A statistical analysis of the items, an estimate of reliability through the Cronbach alpha and a confirmatory factor analysis were carried out. Finally, external evidences of validity were looked for by using the «implicit incremental belief of ability» variable, which had been related to achievement goals in previous studies.The results indicated that the scale is valid and reliable for its use with adolescents in physical education classes, and that the different achievement goals were positively and significantly related to incremental belief of ability (although correlation was higher with mastery goals). In fact, students with high incremental belief of ability revealed higher scores in the different achievement goals. Therefore,approach and avoidance can be considered independent motivational tendencies. The inclusion of this vision will allow a deeper analysis of the achievement motivation in physical education classes, and an advance in knowing the keys that lead to the attainment of a higher commitment and adherence to sport practice on the part of the pupils.