Application of self- determination theory to predict physical education teacher's job performance

Using self determination theory as a framework the aim of this study was to predict physical education teachers'' job performance. Participants of the current study were 204 physical education teachers of Urmia city that voluntarily completed the questionnaires of job performance and intrinsic motivation (Kuvaas، 2009) and psychological needs (Ilardi et al، 1993). Path analysis method was used to test conceptual model. The results showed that Self-determination theory has a sufficient fit among teachers and three Psychological needs (competence، Autonomy and relatedness) can predict 18% of variance of their job performance. Also، the findings of hypothesis testing showed that intrinsic motivation has positive effect on job performance. Also psychological needs had positive and significant effects on intrinsic motivation. It could be said that existence of autonomy، sense of competence and having positive relationship with other teachers in work environment increase their intrinsic motivation and job performance