Goal Posts

Commentary on the complex relationships between motivation, performance, competition, cooperation, and goals.

John Tauer, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Psychology and Assistant Men's Basketball Coach at the University of St. Thomas. See full bio

September 28, 2009

I think I can, I think I can: Teaching kids optimism through sports

I began thinking more about the powerful role sports play in our culture. I was struck by how many opportunities I miss where I can talk with my sons Jack and Adam about valuable lessons we can all learn from sports.

September 22, 2009

Cooperation vs. Competition: Not an either/or proposition

Competition is pervasive in our culture, and can be a double-edged sword. Part of the reason team sports are so appealing in our culture is that they provide individuals the opportunity to compete and cooperate at the same time. In a subsequent post, we’ll examine factors that determine when the millions of children who participate in youth sports derive the intended benefits of intergroup competition and when they do not. In the meantime, I’m curious to read examples when you’ve seen children benefit or suffer in team sports, as opposed to individual sports, and why. Read More

September 15, 2009

1st Down and 6 social psychological principles to go for Vikings and Brett Favre

Last week we discussed the fascination fans and media have with Brett Favre. One of the challenges the Vikings will face is how to integrate Favre with the rest of the team members, all of whom participated in training camp. Read More

September 8, 2009

“Plays of our Lives”: Why are we motivated to watch the Brett Favre soap opera?

How will the 2009 version of Brett Favre’s soap opera, “Plays of our Lives” turn out? Will he get injured? Will he lead the Vikings over the Packers? Will he hurt team chemistry? Can he take the Vikings to their first ever Super Bowl victory? The NFL season kicks off this Sunday, and the one thing we can be certain of is that media and fans alike will be fixated on the unfolding drama that comes with Brett Favre. Read More

September 1, 2009

Why are we motivated to watch the Little League World Series?

1) For many, Little League Baseball conjures memories of baseball, hot dogs, and apple pie. We may think back to our youth, walking to the park, with glove in one hand, and our new bat in the other. Sunny nights at the field with friends and family. Refreshments after the game. Dirty uniforms. New spikes. Strike outs. Errors. Laughter. Maybe even that one time when we connected for a home run, and felt that, even for a moment, we were destined to make the Major Leagues. The Little League World Series puts kids on a big stage at a time in life when they have not been corrupted by agents, money, or greed. Amazingly, one may not be able to say the same thing in a few years once 9th graders are being recruited by colleges around the country. Read More

August 24, 2009

Usain Bolt: Motivational lessons for kids from the World’s Fastest Human

What lessons can we teach our children from Usain Bolt? Regardless of one’s thoughts on Bolt or his actions, the issues that have been raised provide much fodder for interesting conversations with our children about excellence, sportsmanship, and humility. So often, we ask our children how their day was and receive the monosyllabic “Fine”. Open-ended questions on topics that interest children are great ways to start real dialogue. Below are seven possibilities of questions related to Usain Bolt that may be useful ways to engage our children in important discussion. Read More

August 17, 2009

Sex Sells, and so does Tiger Woods: Motivation to Succeed vs. Motivation to Avoid Failure (Part 2)

Last week's blog dealt with the television ratings increase that comes along with Tiger Woods contention for championships. Nationally, it appears Woods had another huge impact on ratings, with the Sunday ratings for the PGA Championship up 105% compared to the 2008 PGA that Tiger did not compete in due to a knee injury. Read More

August 10, 2009

Sex sells, and so does Tiger Woods

For decades, advertisers have been well aware of the fact that sex sells (and they have exploited this fact to no end). Apparently Tiger Woods sells equally well. This week, Tiger Woods will compete in the PGA Golf Championship. Read More

August 4, 2009

Pro athletes as role models for our children: The case of Rickey Henderson

Rickey Henderson’s newfound humility seemed to surprised some, inspire others, and strike many as less than genuine. Whatever the motive, our children can learn much from Henderson’s comments.
Read More

July 28, 2009

Lance Armstrong: How to help our children “live strong” in victory and defeat

The competitive and cooperative aspects of the Tour de France are unlike any other sport. Typically each team has a lead rider who is the team's best chance at victory. Similar to other sports, other team members sacrifice for the good of the group. What is different is that the team does not receive the majority of the glory, the lead rider does. In the NBA, the Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA title, not Kobe Bryant (although he did receive the MVP of the Finals). Imagine if the city of Los Angeles threw a parade for Kobe, and the rest of his teammates got to watch from the sidewalk? Read More

Sport and Competition Basics

From schoolyard chants to Super Bowl championships, playful competition finds its way into nearly all aspects of culture. Fighting to win draws on cooperation, concentration, coordination, and creativity--things worth striving for in their own right. That's why sports are more than just fun and games.

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