Work

Why we play: A motivational–efficacy pathway from basic psychological needs to creative musicianship

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: PURPOSE: To describe how simple psychological needs (autonomy, competence, relatedness) promote creative musicianship using a motivational-efficacy mechanism and whether autonomy support by the teacher enhances this mechanism. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey of university music students across various Chinese conservatoires; valid scales were used to measure need satisfaction, intrinsic motivation, creative self-efficacy and creative musicianship; tested the relationship using PLS-SEM with bootstrapping and conventional measurement diagnostic. RESULTS: Need satisfaction related positively to intrinsic motivation which in turn related positively to creative self-efficacy and creative musicianship; the overall effect of need satisfaction on creative musicianship operated indirectly through the motivational-efficacy chain; teacher autonomy support increased the associations between need satisfaction and intrinsic motivation. IMPLICATIONS: Autonomy-supportive studio activities and low-stakes, formally-structured creative activities have the potential to reinforce the intrinsic pleasure and self-convictions of students, which, as a practical path toward improving creative musicianship in conservatory programs, is a viable approach to take.

Source: Acta Psychologica

DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105952

Author: Ming Liu

Institution: Guangzhou College of Commerce

Language: English

Topic: Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Quality education

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,670