Modules 16 & 17: Blog Post 2

• Grab two identical pieces of paper (or some material) and crumple them into paper balls.
• Stand in front of a trash can or receptacle of some kind.... Reflect on your confidence level.

- "Well I hope this is where I am supposed to stand. This can't be that hard, but then again maybe since they are paper, they won't go as far as I thought. Hopefully I have good aim."

• (try to) Toss the ball into the trash can. ....Did you make it? WHY didn't you make it?

- Yes I did make it. I feel that since I considered all options about the dynamics of the situation, I was aware of how I should throw it. I wasn't very confident, so making both made me feel more confident.

• Move back 5 (or more) feet. Reflect on your confidence level THIS time. Try again.
  

- "Okay last time I made both of them. I didn't throw it very hard, but since I am farther away I should probably throw it harder. It didn't really float as much as I thought it would, so the same aim is probably good as last time. I think I can do this!"

• Did you make it?

- I actually made one and missed one this round.

• Use what you have read about factors of intrinsic motivation to explain what happened.
  

- The first time I was unsure about my abilities to do it. I probably over-analyzed the situation, but I didn't feel very confident going into it. I was experiencing little self-efficacy, but I actually ended up making both so that helped increase my confidence level. Since I made the 2 the first time, I was more confident going into the second round. I was showing competency belief and self-efficacy both, as I was confident in my abilities to make it in the trashcan the second round.

• Do you think your original goal (distance from the trash can) was reasonable? (If you set reasonable goals and complete them, intrinsic motivation increases!)

- The distance from the goal was reasonable. I would say that it was probably 5 feet from the trash. The second time I was 10 feet from the trash can, so yes I would say these were reasonable goals.

• How did you confidence level change from the first try to the second? If it increased, did you make your first shot? If it decreased, did you miss your first shot? (Success completing reasonable goals increases intrinsic motivation and confidence for next time)

- It increased from the first time because I was unsure about my abilities going into it. After I made both shots the first time, I had increased confidence within myself and my abilities. I think increased confidence from the first round, helped me to make one of the shots in the second round.

• When you asked yourself WHY you didn't make the shot/s, what did you blame? Where these factors controllable or uncontrollable? What could you do next time to change those factors and improve your changes? (If failure/success is blamed on factors that are not controllable, such as luck, there's nothing you can do to improve, which makes a person feel helpless, and lowers intrinsic motivation. If it is attributed to factors that ARE controllable, and the person identifies those factors, they can feel empowered and will work to change those factors).

- I blamed my lack of ability on not making the shots. I also considered that maybe I was not lined up right with the trashcan or turned my hand too far to the right while throwing it. All of these factors are controllable, except my lack of ability. This lack of ability can be changed through practice, like many things can be changed and improved upon. Also being aware of my surroundings can help improve and change the controllable factors.