Educational applications of achievement goal theory

In the past two decades, achievement goal theory has been found particularly useful in explaining student motivation (Kaplan & Maehr, 2007; Kaplan, Middleton, Urdan, & Midgley, 2002). The purpose of this study was to analyze differences between the achievement goals espoused by middle school and elementary teachers. A mixed-method approach was utilized that required teachers in an urban, eastern Iowa school district to complete a survey regarding their motivational beliefs. Select teachers were then identified based on survey results to be observed and interviewed in an attempt to further analyze instructional practices as they related to student motivation. Results of this study provide significant findings regarding how elementary and middle school classroom environments and instructional practices differ and are especially relevant considering recent middle school reformation

Promoting learning goals in the classroom : a preventative approach to motivational problems

This paper explores the implications of achievement goal theory for addressing motivational problems in the classroom. First, the basic elements of achievement goal theory are described and relevant empirical research that follows from this framework is reviewed. Next, the implications of achievement goal theory for designing motivationally healthy classroom environments as well as the potential obstacles to successful implementation of these design principles are examined. A major conclusion of this review is that achievement goal theory provides an important preventative approach to addressing motivational problems in the classroom. Implications of this preventative approach to addressing motivational problems for the school psychologist are discussed

Examining Anxiety and Achievement Goal Theory in Physical Activity Settings

In the United States (US), a majority of adults do not meet the recommended guides of physical activity despite the many benefits. One benefit of activity is the reduction of anxiety. Although there is robust evidence demonstrating the anxiolytic effects of physical activity, the mechanism is not fully understood. Some psychological explanations are related to a lack of confidence in one’s ability. Because of this, Achievement Goal Theory (AGT) may be a viable framework to explain the anxiolytic effects of physical activity. The focus of this dissertation is to examine the efficacy of AGT as a mechanism and to explore settings and sources of anxiety that may prevent individuals from being active. The first study employed a correlational design, and the focus was to investigate the relationships among concepts of AGT, perceived competence, competence valuation, and state anxiety and how the interactions among these constructs affect future participation. College students (N=531) enrolled in activity classes completed surveys related to these constructs. Based on the results of this study, AGT is a suitable framework to explain how activity can reduce anxiety. Regarding state anxiety, climate is important to consider, and instructors should create mastery-approach climates to reduce symptoms of anxiety. To increase intentions to participate, competence valuation was the best predictor. The results from this study reveal the importance of promoting an environment that is supportive to one’s needs and to encourage self-referenced goals. The second study used the Critical Incident Technique (CIT) via an electronically delivered questionnaire on a sample of college students (N=122). The focus of this study was to examine physical activity settings that invoke anxiety and to target sources of anxiety within these settings. The settings individuals perceived as anxiety-producing included sport, credit-based classes, and leisure-time activity settings such as workout facilities. The core, underlying source of anxiety in all settings was fragile self-beliefs. The findings from this study confirm AGT as a framework to guide the investigation of the relationship between anxiety in physical activity. These studies demonstrate the importance of creating supportive environments to reduce anxiety and increase future participation in physical activity

Gender equality in Physical Education from the perspective of achievement goal theory

El conocimiento de los procesos de socialización de género y su relación con el profesorado y el deporte se ha convertido en un tema de gran interés social. El objetivo de la presente investigación es evaluar los factores motivacionales de los adolescentes y su relación con la formación equitativa del género dentro de las clases de Educación Física (EF) en seis centros de Enseñanza Secundaria de Sevilla (España). Para ello, hemos recogido datos a través de un cuestionario ad-hoc sobre una muestra de 430 estudiantes con edades comprendidas entre los 12 y 14 años. La validez del instrumento se llevó a cabo por tres medios distintos: estadísticamente, grupo de expertos y prueba piloto. La fiabilidad se estableció por un Coeficiente Alpha de Cronbach de .703. Para obtener las relaciones entre las respuestas de los estudiantes a las dimensiones del cuestionario y el género del profesorado, se realizó un análisis cluster a fin de obtener grupos homogéneos de acuerdo a ciertas características. Nuestros resultados muestran conductas sexistas en los factores motivacionales relacionados con la actitud hacia la EF, el interés por los deportes, la salud, la imagen corporal, las relaciones sociales, la motivación por aprobar la asignatura y entender la EF como alternativa al ocio pasivo. Los resultados indican que tenemos que orientar los contenidos de las clases de educación física hacia la tarea si queremos que el alumnado de ambos sexos muestre la misma motivación hacia clases de educación física y si queremos educar de una manera más equitativa entre los génerosKnowledge of the processes of gender socialization and their relationship with teachers and sport has become a topic of great social interest. The aim of this study is to assess adolescents’ motivational factors regarding gender-equal Physical Education (PE) in six high schools in Seville (Spain). We used an ad-hoc questionnaire on a sample of 430 students whose ages ranged between 12 and 14 years old. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed using a group of experts, statistically and carrying out a pilot testing. Reliability was established by a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of .703. For obtain the relationships between the students' responses to the dimensions of the questionnaire and the teachers' gender, we conducted a cluster analysis to obtain homogeneous groups according to certain characteristics. The results reveal sexist patterns on motivational factors in regards to the students’ attitude towards PE, interest in sports, health, body image, social relationships, avoiding to fail in this subject, understanding PE as an alternative to passive leisure. The findings indicate that we need to focus the contents of PE practical lessons towards the task, if we want that both male and female pupils show the same motivation towards PE lessons, and if we want the subject to be taught in a more genderequal way. Keywords

Contextualizing Gamification Design: Using Extended Achievement Goal Theory to Understand College Learner Differences

Gamification is considered a promising approach to motivating learners. Yet, existing research found an inconsistent motivating impact of gamification designs. This paper explores individual differences in gamification design in the college learning context. Drawing upon the extended achievement goal theory, we posit that individuals’ academic and social achievement goal orientations can portray user types for gamification designs in a learning environment. Using data collected from college students, we validate an instrument to measure college learners’ achievement goal orientations. We subsequently identify three clusters of learners: the Self-image Worriers, the Minimizers, and the Eager Learners. We name this learner taxonomy ASGOL (Academic and Social Goal Orientation Learners). We speculate about gamification design implications for supporting all ASGOL types

The Role of Social Goals in Students’ Academic Help Seeking and Help Giving Among Peers

This study examined the role of social achievement goals in academic help giving among peers within a high school. Students (n = 794) filled out surveys assessing their social goals, how often they are asked for help by their peers, and the type of help they gave to peers (instrumental vs. expedient). Controls included students’ grade point average, popularity, and personal help seeking preferences. Results demonstrated positive benefits of social development goals on students’ reports of how often they were asked for help and type of help given to their peers and negative impacts of social demonstration-avoidance goals on help giving. The findings complement achievement goal theory and provide a more comprehensive understanding of academic help seeking

Relationships Among Values, Achievement Orientations, and Attitudes in Youth Sport

This research examines the value-expressive function of attitudes and achievement goal theory in predicting moral attitudes. In Study 1, the Youth Sport Values Questionnaire (YSVQ; Lee, Whitehead, & Balchin, 2000) was modified to measure moral,competence, and status values. In Study 2, structural equation modeling on data from 549 competitors (317 males, 232 females) aged 12–15 years showed that moral and competence values predicted prosocial attitudes, whereas moral (negatively) and status values (positively)predicted antisocial attitudes. Competence and status values predicted task and ego orientation, respectively, and task and ego orientation partially mediated the effect of competence values on prosocial attitudes and of status values on antisocial attitudes, respectively. The role of sport values is discussed, and new research directions are proposed

Using Gamification to Support Users’ Adoption of Contextual Achievement Goals

Gamification is a promising approach for motivating and engaging users in nongame tasks. However, theoretical support on why and how gamification enhances users’ motivation or behavior is limited. Considering the concepts of goal orientation and goal structure suggested by achievement goal theory, we prescribe gamification design as purposely creating goal structures to support users’ goal adoption and achievement behaviors. This conceptual work addresses the question: what types of achievement goals can be associated with gamification design? Particularly, how can the use of gamification design help construct goal structures to support users’ goal adoption? Adapting achievement goal theory, we identify three sets of achievement goals, namely, cognitive competence, social competence, and social purpose, and develop six propositions on gamification design. Each proposition is illustrated with empirical examples from the literature. This research contributes to the theoretical advancement of gamification design and provides additional insights into the motivational design of information systems

Building strategy of talent retention on basis of achievement goal theory of motivation - theoretical assumptions

The key area of management of the organization are people, which determine the strategic company goals. The implementation of talent management is a way to build a competitive advantage in the market. Unfortunately, many reports indicate that employees perceived constant talents shortage and talented workers are becoming more and more mobile. For this reason, it is necessary to draw attention to the process of retention talents. Developing talent retention strategies must take to the consideration internal needs and expectations of talents. The purpose of the following article is to identify the motivating factors that contribute to retain talented employees while taking into consideration the conclusion resulting from achievement goal theory. Talented workers have higher internal motivation and they are characterized by high mastery orientation (and low or high performance orientation). Considering this assumption, the organization should use a different motivational tools for this group of workers. The most important will be development opportunities, type of executed tasks and corporate culture