title: Test anxiety and the hierarchical model of approach and avoidance achievement motivation.
abstract: This research was designed to incorporate the test anxiety (TA) construct into the hierarchical model of approach and avoidance achievement motivation. Hypotheses regarding state and trait TA were tested in 2 studies, and the results provided strong support for the predictions. State TA (specifically, worry) was documented as a mediator of the negative relationship between performance-avoidance goals and exam performance. The positive relationship between performance-approach goals and exam performance was shown to be independent of TA processes. A series of analyses documented the conceptual and functional convergence of trait TA and fear of failure (FOF), and further validation of the proposed integration was obtained by testing trait TA/FOF and state TA together in the same model. Mastery goals were positively and performance-avoidance goals negatively related to long-term retention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Rochester, New York 14627, USA. andye@scp.rochester.edu
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Elliot
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: McGregor
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001362:Avoidance Learning; D003071:Cognition; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004924:Escape Reaction; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation