Achievement goals and optimal motivation: Testing multiple goal models.
Abstract
Currently, there is a debate about which types of achievement goals promote optimal motivation. A number of theorists argue for a mastery goal perspective focusing on the adaptive consequences of mastery goals and the maladaptive consequences of performance goals. Others endorse a multiple goal perspective in which both mastery and performance goals can be beneficial. The purpose of the present investigation was to review why this debate has emerged and to offer a critical test of the mastery versus multiple goal perspectives. In Study 1, a correlational approach was used to identify the optimal goals for college participants to adopt for a learning activity. In Study 2, an experimental approach was used to identify the optimal goals to assign for the same activity. Each study revealed benefits of both mastery and performance goals, providing support for the multiple goal perspective.
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Other goals, particularly mastery-approach goals, may be more salient at other points in the cycle and interact with other goals.
“It is likely that other goals, particularly mastery-approach goals, may indeed be more salient at other points in the cycle, and interact with other goals (Barron & Harackiewicz, 2001; Darnon, Dompnier, Gillie ´ron, & Butera, 2010).”
From Why grades engender performance-avoidance goals: The mediating role of autonomous motivation. (2011) · cites this paper as Barron & Harackiewicz, 2001
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- Authors
- Barron, K. E., & Harackiewicz, J. M.
- Affiliations
- James Madison University (US)
- Venue
- Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
- Published
- 2001
- Volume
- 80
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 706-722
- ISSN
- 0022-3514 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-1315
- OpenAlex
- W1979623518
- Cited by
- 900
- References
- 8
- Citations by year
- 2026: 12 · 2025: 27 · 2024: 25 · 2023: 28 · 2022: 23 · 2021: 31 · 2020: 37 · 2019: 36 · 2018: 32 · 2017: 37 · 2016: 48 · 2015: 54 · 2014: 42 · 2013: 53 · 2012: 63
- FWCI
- 23.41
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Education, Achievement, and Giftedness
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Psychological Testing and Assessment
- Keywords
- achievement goals, mastery goals, performance goals, goal setting, student motivation, university students
- MeSH terms
- Achievement, Adult, Female, Goals, Humans, Learning, Male, Models, Psychological, Motivation, Problem Solving, Research Design
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