The purpose of the present investigation is to examine the relationship between task and ego orientation, sport confidence, trait anxiety and goal setting styles in elite Indian athletes (n=100; male=51, female=49). All the subjects were tested on the psychological variables, i.e., task- and ego-orientation, sport self-confidence, sport competition anxiety and goal setting styles. The relationship between task orientations, self-confidence, success-oriented goal setting styles, and performance-oriented goal setting style was found to be significant. A significant relationship was found between ego orientation and success-oriented goal setting styles, performance-oriented goal setting styles and self-confidence. Results indicate that high/low task oriented athletes differed significantly in their performance-oriented goal setting styles, sport confidence and success oriented goal setting styles. The high ego and low ego groups differed significantly on performance-oriented goal setting styles. But the high/low ego oriented athletes did not differ significantly in sport confidence level and success-oriented goal setting styles. High/low task and high/low ego-oriented athletes did not differ significantly on anxiety and failure-oriented goal setting styles.

One of the most popular motivational techniques for enhancing performance and productivity in business, education, and sports is goal setting. Goals are defined as objectives, standards or level of proficiency or the result of our actions. Goal perspectives theorists (Ames, 1992; Duda, 1993; Dweck and Leggett, 1988, Nicholls, 1989; Roberts, 1992) suggest that in achievement domains like sports, two goal orientations-task orientation and ego orientation-operate. According to the Goal Perspectives theory, task orientation implies task mastery or personal improvements as reflecting of high competence and subjective success. A task or learning goal implies a major concern with personal development. Success is defined as greater gains in personal competence and perceptions of ability are self referenced. Task orientation is a mastery approach that focused on hard word, learning goals, improving skills and gaining understanding. Ego-oriented individuals, on the other hand, tend to judge their own competence by comparing it with others. In these individuals, high ability perceived goal accomplishments are predicted on displaying superiority over those with whom they compare themselves. A person, who is more ego-oriented evaluates competence from a normatively referenced standpoint and derives feelings of adequacy from the demonstration of superior ability over others.