Perceived Competence: A Validation Study in the Field of Motoric Remedial Teaching

IN THIS STUDY the relationship between perceived competence and performance was addressed, notably with respect to motor behaviour. In addition to Harter's (1985) perceived competence questionnaire, a motor skills test was administered to a group of 128 4th grade children of regular elementary schools. From this sample two samples were chosen. One group (N= 40) was involved in motoric remedial teaching classes, a group of classmates (N =38) was selected as a matched comparison group from the remainder of the sample. Both groups were compared on each of the measuring instruments. The motoric remedial teaching group scored significantly lower than the group of classmates on perceived athletic competence and on motor skills performance. Further, a significant difference was observed between both groups on the correlation coefficient between perceived athletic competence and motor skills performance. The results provide information which externally validates the notion of perceived competence; they also underline the relevance of the concept of perceived athletic competence in the field of motoric remedial teaching.