A novel approach to assessing achievement goals in the context of the 2 x 2 framework: identifying distinct profiles of individuals with different dominant achievement goals.
In two studies, individuals' dominant achievement goals were assessed using a new, simple, and conceptually precise measure based on Elliot and McGregor's (2001) 2 x 2 framework. Next, the four groups were compared in terms of achievement-relevant variables, including need for achievement, perfectionism, perceived competence, interest, and graded performance. As expected, a very high percentage (approximately 85%) of people indicated they had a dominant achievement goal. Furthermore, the results suggest that individuals with different dominant achievement goals have clear, distinct profiles that can be characterized as positively valenced (mastery-approach), both positively and negatively valenced (performance-approach), negatively valenced (performance-avoidance), or neither positively nor negatively valenced (mastery-avoidance).
Van Yperen
Nico W
NW
Department of Social and Organizational Psychology, University of Groningen, Grote Kruisstraat 2/I, 9712 TS Groningen, the Netherlands. n.van.yperen@rug.nl
D000124:Achievement; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010551:Personality; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires