Introduction
Rudy (1993) is an inspiring film based on the true story of Rudy Ruettiger, a small but determined young man who aspires to play college football. Directed by David Anspaugh, this film follows the inspiring journey of Rudy as he overcomes the odds and the obstacles of family, friends, and the school itself to fulfill his lifelong dream of playing football for the University of Notre Dame. Sean Astin’s performance as Rudy is both captivating and heartfelt, and the film’s message of perseverance resonates with audiences of all ages. This movie review will address several theories, such as self-determination, expectancy-value, goal-setting-direct mechanistic, needs-achievement, and self-confidence, as evident in the movie.
Self-Determination Theory
Self-determination theory (SDT) is a theory of motivation that posits that individuals are motivated by three innate psychological needs: relatedness, competence, and autonomy. Autonomy is the need for individuals to feel in control of their behavior and decisions, while competence is the need to feel capable and effective in achieving goals. On the other hand, relatedness is the need to feel connected to others. SDT suggests that when these needs are met, individuals are more likely to engage in activities, persist longer in tasks, and perform better. Additionally, SDT emphasizes providing individuals with choice, feedback, and support to foster intrinsic motivation and improve overall well-being.
The self-determination theory is evident in the film Rudy (1993) through Rudy’s drive to overcome all obstacles and reach his goal of playing football at the University of Notre Dame. Despite the odds stacked against him, Rudy persists in his dream and finds the intrinsic motivation to do whatever it takes to get there. He faces adversity, failure, and challenges, but never gives up, showing that internal motivation, not external rewards, drives Rudy to succeed. Rudy does not give up even when his goal seems impossible, and his determination to reach his goal is a perfect example of the self-determination theory in action.
Expectancy-Value Theory
The expectancy-value theory is a motivational theory of behavior that looks at an individual’s choice of certain behaviors based on the expected outcome, the value of the outcomes, and the individual’s perception of their ability to achieve those outcomes. This theory suggests that people select behaviors based on their expectancy of success and the value of the results of those behaviors. It states that people will choose to engage in behaviors where their expectancy for success is high, and their value of the outcome is high.
The expectancy-value theory is evident in the film Rudy. This theory suggests that an individual’s motivation to pursue a specific goal is based on their perception of their ability to achieve the goal and the value of the goal. In the movie, Rudy’s motivation to reach his dream of playing football at Notre Dame is driven by his own strong belief in his capabilities and the value he places on the goal of playing football at a prestigious university. Rudy works hard and invests a significant amount of time and effort in pursuing his dream, despite various obstacles, as he strongly believes in himself and places a high value on this goal. Ultimately, Rudy successfully achieves his goal, showing the power of the expectancy-value theory.
Needs-Achievement Theory
Needs-achievement theory is a personality theory that suggests that an individual’s need for achievement is a significant determinant of their behavior. This theory proposes that individuals with a strong need for achievement tend to be more successful, motivated, and goal-oriented than those with a lower need for achievement. The needs-achievement theory states that the need for achievement is determined by a person’s personality and is influenced by the environment in which the individual was raised. People with a higher need for achievement are more likely to engage in challenging and stimulating activities. In contrast, those with a lower need for achievement will be less likely to take on challenging tasks. Additionally, the theory suggests that individuals with a bigger need for achievement are more inclined to take risks to achieve their goals.
The needs-achievement theory is evident in the film Rudy. The movie narrates the journey of Rudy Ruettiger, a young man from a working-class background who dreams of attending Notre Dame and joining its football team. Rudy is determined to achieve his dream despite his physical limitations and lack of resources. He perseveres through hard work and dedication and eventually earns a spot on the team.
The film’s depiction of Rudy’s journey illustrates the needs-achievement theory, which states that individuals are motivated to pursue goals that satisfy their needs and provide a sense of accomplishment. Rudy’s drive to attend Notre Dame and play football reveals his need to prove himself and his need for self-fulfillment and recognition. The film illustrates how needs can be met through achievement, showing that individuals can overcome obstacles and succeed when motivated to pursue goals.
Achievement Goal Theory
Achievement goal theory is a psychological theory developed in the 1980s that focuses on how an individual’s goals influence their behavior, emotions, and motivation. The theory states that individuals adopt a particular goal orientation when striving for success. Task-oriented persons focus on indicating their ability and achieving external rewards, while mastery-oriented individuals focus on learning and personal growth. The theory suggests that different goal orientations lead to other strategies, outcomes, and emotional responses.
In the film Rudy (1993), the achievement goal theory proposes that individual behavior and performance are driven by the various goals people set for themselves. The film follows the story of Rudy Ruettiger, a youngster from a working-class family who sets out to fulfill his dream of playing football at Notre Dame. Through the film, Rudy demonstrates the three goals of achievement goal theory: mastery goals, performance-approach goals, and performance-avoidance goals.
Rudy’s performance-approach goal is to prove to everyone around him that he can be successful despite his background, while his performance-avoidance goal is to succeed at making the team. Finally, Rudy’s mastery goal is to learn and become the best player. Rudy demonstrates through hard work and perseverance how setting goals and striving to achieve them can lead to success.
Goal-Setting-Direct Mechanistic Theory
The goal-setting-direct mechanistic theory focuses on the cognitive processes involved in goal setting and the effects of goal setting on outcomes. This theory proposes that goal setting directly and mechanically impacts results. It suggests that setting a goal serves as a motivator to work towards the goal and that the difficulty of the goal affects the amount of effort put into reaching it.
Additionally, the theory states that the plan needs to be specific and challenging to motivate the individual effectively. Moreover, the theory suggests that feedback on progress toward the goal should be provided to help the individual stay focused and motivated. Finally, the theory suggests that goal setting should include rewards to give more motivation to reach the goal.
The goal-setting-direct mechanistic theory is a psychological theory that suggests that by setting challenging goals, individuals can increase motivation and performance. This theory is evident in the movie Rudy (1993), where Rudy (Sean Astin) pursues a dream of playing football at Notre Dame University and works hard to achieve it.
Rudy perseveres in the face of adversity through his ambition and hard work, ultimately fulfilling his dream. Rudy’s story exemplifies how a person can set a goal and make it a reality with dedication and hard work. Additionally, the theory is evident in the support Rudy receives from his family and friends, who encourage Rudy to pursue his goal and ultimately succeed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Rudy (1993) is a classic movie about overcoming the odds and achieving one’s dreams. Rudy Ruettiger (Sean Astin) has been told throughout his life that he was too small to play college football, but he is determined to prove everyone wrong. With resilience and hard work, Rudy can make it onto the Notre Dame football team and fulfill his dream. Rudy is an inspiring movie that encourages viewers never to give up and strive to achieve their goals, regardless of the odds. This movie will remain an inspirational classic for many years to come.
References
Sunendar, D., & Rasyid, Y. (2018). A Meso-levels critical discourse analysis of the movie Rudy Habibie. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 8(11), 1559-1565.