Performance attainment and intrinsic motivation: An achievement goal approach
PhD ceremony: Ms. M. Blaga, 12.45 uur, Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen
Dissertation: Performance attainment and intrinsic motivation: An achievement goal approach
Promotor(s): prof. N. van Yperen
Faculty: Behavioural and Social Sciences
This dissertation focuses on achievement goals, one specific type of personal goals pursued in achievement situations. Achievement goals, the mental representations of the individual’s desired levels of competence in the short-term or in the long-term can energize, direct, and organize one’s behavior, and can predict one’s performance and levels of intrinsic motivation. Firstly, in three meta-analyses, the relationships between achievement goals and performance attainment and achievement goals and intrinsic motivation were systematically explored. Secondly, in two experiments, some relevant, yet largely neglected issues in achievement goal research (i.e., target goals and the moderating potential of achievement goals) were addressed. Results across the meta-analyses suggest that the direct relations between personally adopted achievement goals and performance attainment and between personally adopted achievement goals and intrinsic motivation were moderated by achievement domain (education, work, and sports), achievement goal measures (i.e., the scales used to measure achievement goals), and specific socio-demographic characteristics (e.g., nationality). Also, the effects of assigned achievement goals on performance were moderated by specific study characteristics (feedback anticipation and time pressure). Results in the two experiments indicate that combining achievement goals with targets of different levels of difficulty may differently predict performance attainment as a function of the individual’s level of performance expectancy. Furthermore, particular “target” achievement goals disrupted the positive relations between initial task interest and performance.
Last modified: | 13 March 2020 01.01 a.m. |
More news
-
24 March 2025
UG 28th in World's Most International Universities 2025 rankings
The University of Groningen has been ranked 28th in the World's Most International Universities 2025 by Times Higher Education. With this, the UG leaves behind institutions such as MIT and Harvard. The 28th place marks an increase of five places: in...
-
17 March 2025
Liekuut | The high price of conflicts
According to Carsten de Dreu, Professor of Foundations of Cooperation and Social Organization at the University of Groningen, a lot can be learned from conflicts.
-
10 March 2025
Science for Society | Memory Lab for higher marks
Learning facts at school is something hardly anyone likes. The day before a test, pupils cram as many words or names as possible into their heads, only to hopefully remember them the next morning and then forget them again after the test.