It's Not Just About (Scoring) Goals

Last week, we covered the topic of goal complex (or the complexity/nuance of goals) and explored relevant research that investigated how individuals' reasons for doing things influence the types of actual goals they develop and act on. Specifically, we were introduced to a framework in which aspects of self-determination theory (intrinsic or autonomous vs. extrinsic or controlled) were operationalized as the reasons or drive behind one's goals. Further, these motives behind one's goals then influenced what an individual is actually trying to accomplish, operationalized as achievement goals (mastery vs. performance; approach vs. avoidance). When individuals have more autonomous reasons for acting (interest, enjoyment, valuing others' improvement), they often will develop approach goals (working on skills, completing tasks) and experience positive results. On the other hand, when individuals have more controlled reasons for acting (external rewards, pressure from others), they will often develop avoidance goals and experience negative results if they engage in the activity at all. This framework helps to explain why performance approach goals occur and why these types of goals may be adaptive rather than maladaptive as previously theorized. 

In thinking about goal complexes related to the motives, goals, and behaviors of Ted Lasso and other prominent characters in the series, one can create a decent illustration of how the relationship between motives, goals, and actions/outcomes can play out and, subsequently, be applied. Starting from the beginning of this goal complex model, let's consider the quality of Ted's motives or reasons behind his being a coach. As described in past blog posts, Ted does not appear to be motivated by extrinsic rewards, such as winning, money, or fame. Instead, based on Ted's words and actions, his motives seem to be quite intrinsic, as he truly values team camaraderie, connection, and self-improvement (extended to other domains besides sport performance). In line with research exploring goal complexes, which we reviewed in class last week, Ted's intrinsic motives tend to lead to his tendency to set approach goals rather than subscribe to avoidance goals or tendencies (e.g., . Even when Ted seems to have more of a performance goal than a mastery goal (being more cohesive as a team and organization than any other team in the league), Ted's intrinsic motives behind this performance goal induce an approach orientation rather than an avoidance orientation. For example, rather than ignoring their last place ranking or turning Jamie Tartt away for being a difficult team member, Ted approaches these tough situations by taking them head on (clearing heads with an underground sewer tour; bring Jamie back and allowing him to find his leadership role) due to his intrinsic valuing of developing cohesivity and improvement of his athletes. In turn, the team finishes near the top of the rankings and Jamie Tartt develops into both a star and a leader.

In examining the goal complexes of Roy Kent, one initially could understandably perceive that his goal complex process is conversely valanced as compared to Ted Lasso's. Roy Kent's motives behind participating in soccer and, eventually, soccer coaching appear to be more controlled than autonomous. Roy seems to be motivated by money, continuing to live out his fame, and wanting to avoid the negative feelings that could come from a life outside of soccer. In turn, Roy's goals, at least initially, seem to be quite avoidant. Roy avoids dealing with his retirement by ignoring the obvious physical and performance signs that his play is deteriorating and shouting others down who eventually point this out (including Ted). Further, Roy also sets out to avoid any form of vulnerability or intimacy with others. However, in line with the goal complex framework we learned about, once Roy begins to intrinsically value things like coaching (desiring to assistant coach for Ted), emotional intimacy (relationship with Keeley), and vulnerability with friends (joining the Diamond Dogs), he begins to not only change his goals from avoidance to approach, but also becomes a lot more approachable as a whole!

Becoming The Best Version Of Myself

Self-determination theory holds that, like physiological needs, all humans innately seek out the satisfaction of their three psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. The more that individuals perceive these three psychological needs to be satisfied by important social figures/climates in a specific context, the better their quantity and quality of motivation will be to engage in the specific behavior or activity. In terms of quality of motivation, a mini-theory within self-determination theory called organismic integration theory details how individuals' motivations can range in how intrinsic or extrinsic they are. While intrinsic motivation is conceived as being pure love or inherent value one attributes to a certain behavior/activity, extrinsic motivation can be further broken down into categories based on the extent one's motivation is internalized/externalized. When individuals attribute their motivation to engage in certain activities to external (money, removal of pain) and internal rewards (receiving more attention), they are typically considered to be more extrinsically motivated, and may not experience as strong persistence or positive well-being as individuals who are more intrinsically motivated (internalizing an activity as being important, or part of one's identity). Using a self-determination theory lens to analyze the Ted Lasso series, one can clearly see the influence of psychological needs on Ted's motivation, as well as how Ted's behaviors influence the satisfaction of psychological needs and motivations of his athletes.

Although sport psychology research has incorporated self-determination theory to explore psychological needs and motivation regulation of athletes, recent research has indicated the importance of coaches' perceptions of psychological need satisfaction and motivation. In terms of Ted's motivation for coaching, I would suggest that Ted's is quite intrinsic, or at least identified/integrated. The fact that Ted's ultimate goals have nothing to do with extrinsic rewards, such as fame, money, or winning games, and instead predominantly relate to his strong belief in creating an environment to help him and others reach their potential strongly indicate Ted's motivation is intrinsic. Ted simply values being a coach and has internalized and arguably even transfers his coaching identity to other areas of life. Making sense of Ted's intrinsic motivation by analyzing how he may perceive his needs as satisfied further backs up that Ted would most likely have high quality motivation. Ted's satisfaction of the need for autonomy would presumably be quite high, as he is the head coach and the owner of the team gives him ample opportunity to lead the team the way he sees fit. His competence satisfaction would also presumably be quite high as a coach, as he had just led his previous team in America to a NCAA title, and his detractors in the UK grow quieter throughout the series as the team improves. Last, Ted's need for relatedness also appears to be satisfied through his relationships with Coach Beard, club's personnel, and the his athletes, despite aspects of his personal life most likely contributing to some relatedness frustration. Thus, it is logical to assume that Ted's motivation to coach is mostly intrinsic.

Sport psychology research has also indicated the importance of the climate that coaches create and the behaviors that they display, which can influence their athletes' sense of psychological need satisfaction and, in turn, their motivation. In Ted Lasso, the salience of the coach's motivational climate and behaviors is best exemplified through the change in Jamie Tartt's motivations to play soccer at such a high level. In the beginning of the series, Jamie Tartt is Richmond's lone star athlete, and he certainly plays the part of an egotistical Primadona who only cares about winning, his image, and being recognized for being more talented than his teammates. Ted immediately picks up on and tries to address these cognitions and behaviors. He begins to emphasize teamwork, shared leadership, and teamwide trust in the process rather than reliance on one individual to win. Although it takes Jamie a fairly lengthy period of time and some tough love, he begins to experience autonomy and competence satisfaction through Ted's disregard for winning and emphasis on teamwide improvement. This led to Jamie's enhanced intrinsic enjoyment for participating and feeling less externally controlled by his high performance-oriented expectations (which came from his controlling father). Ted also facilitates a level of teamwide relatedness satisfaction, and forms an especially close, father-like bond with Jamie. The climate created by Ted helps to form bonds between Jamie and his teammates and coaches, resulting in Jamie's clear transition from extrinsic motivation to an identified motivation. Jamie increasingly values the mutual support he gives and receives from his teammates through his participation in soccer, thus enhancing his quality of motivation. His high level of relatedness satisfaction is best exemplified in a turning point in Jamie's behavior: his support and joining of his teammate Sam's protest, which the whole team then follows. 

"Smells Like Potential"

To complete our understanding of the Expectancy-Value Theory, we explored how values, perceptions, and cultivated interests interplay with perceptions of self-efficacy, subsequently shaping our motivation to act. As I described in last week's blog, determining Ted Lasso's perceptions and sources of coaching self-efficacy was not as easy as it had initially seemed. He did not appear particularly phased by losing, despite being head coach of the professional soccer team. However, considering the topics of this week, I believe one must understand Ted's overarching values to accurately assess his coaching self-efficacy or sources of motivation. 

Ted makes it outwardly clear from the beginning of his soccer coaching career that he does not necessarily value winning in and of itself. Although this could potentially be chalked up as a defense mechanism, given his lack of experience and his team's lack of cohesivity, Ted's disregard for winning games does not change when he and his team begin to excel. One way to operationalize values and potentially help us better understand Ted's is through our 2 x 2 conceptualization of achievement goals. This framework explains that there are two categories of perceived achievement, both of which can further be broken down into the strategies one uses to reach the desired achievement. Folks who are predominantly focused on achieving outcomes that are centered around performing better than others (e.g., "my goal is to beat West Ham and Rupert") are considered performance-oriented, while folks who focus on improving themselves (or others) and on the tasks/process of improvement (e.g., "my goal is to help these kids play like a team") are considered mastery-oriented. In the other dimension, individuals who typically take action head-on, focusing on what they need to do (e.g., Bringing out Led Tasso to motivate the team), exhibit approach behaviors, while folks who typically shy away from action or focus on what not to do (e.g., Nate talking himself out of asking a hostess on a date) exhibit avoidance behaviors.

In relation to Ted, when it comes to soccer and competition in general, it would seem that Ted is hardly ever focused on the outcome, winning, or doing better than others. Rather, Ted appears to be driven by mastery; he could not care less about the outcome of the game as long as his team realize a takeaway lesson and grow towards their potential. This is evidenced throughout the series, but I think especially so when Ted takes his star player, Jamie, out of the game for Sam, a young and discouraged sub. Ted confronted Jamie's constant challenges to his ideal team culture and, in turn, Sam went on to score the winning goal, instilling confidence and resilience with the rest of the team. Through the general framework of Expectancy-Value theory, if Ted singularly values the process of building rapport, connection, and facilitating his athletes' self-improvement (on and off the field) over performing well or winning, then losing probably wouldn't influence his coaching self-efficacy or motivation at all! As long as he sees that his athletes are improving and growing closer as a team while they do it, Ted's goals appear to be accomplished. Of note, I believe there is an argument that by focusing on improving the culture and shared leadership of his team, Ted may be using a form of instrumentation (focusing on achieving one goal as a direct or indirect means to achieving another goal) to win a championship. However, this examination may be best explored in another blog post, and Ted's behaviors throughout the show would certainly point to his valuing of relationships over a secretive need to win.