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Highlighting the difference between approach and avoidance motivation enhances the predictive validity of performance-avoidance goal reports

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Abstract

This research investigated whether highlighting the difference between norm-based approach and avoidance motivation impacts performance goal reporting accuracy. Participants were randomly assigned to receive no instructions, or reading materials indicating that norm-based approach and avoidance motivation are the same (Same condition) or different (Different condition). In Study 1 (N = 978), experimental condition was tested as a moderator of the relation between antecedent variables and performance goal reports. In Study 2 (N = 957), experimental condition was tested as a moderator of the predictive utility of performance goal reports. Both studies showed that while relations with performance-approach goals remained unaffected, experimental condition moderated the relation between performance-avoidance goal reports and their antecedent variables (Study 1), and their process and outcome variables (Study 2). The strongest associations (the most accurate goal reports) came from the different condition. Highlighting the difference between approach and avoidance enhanced the predictive validity of performance-avoidance goal reports. Implications for understanding and measuring achievement goals are discussed.

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Notes

  1. Some conceptualizations of performance goals also include a demonstration or appearance component, whereby performance-approach goals include trying to demonstrate that one is competent and performance-avoidance goals include trying to demonstrate that one is not incompetent (Elliot 2005; Urdan and Mestas 2006).

  2. We also tested whether there were conditions effects of the experimental materials on all measured motivation outcomes (i.e. pride, anxiety, etc.). No significant differences between conditions emerged for any of the processes and outcomes associated with performance-approach goals: for pride F(2, 954) = 1.07, p = .34, engagement F(2, 954) = 1.86, p = .16, nor help seeking F(2, 954) = 0.20, p = .82. Nor did any significant differences between conditions emerge for any of the processes and outcomes associated with performance-avoidance goals: anxiety F(2, 954) = 0.26, p = .77, help avoidance F(2, 954) = 0.25, p = .78, nor interest F(2, 954) = 0.40, p = .67.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Allison Ryan for providing the adaptive help seeking and help avoidance measures used in study 2.

Funding

This work was supported by the National Science Foundation graduate research fellowship (NSF GRFP DGE 1419118) awarded to EJH.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Rochester, 455 Meliora Hall, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA

    Emily J. Hangen

  2. University of Rochester, 488 Meliora Hall, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA

    Andrew J. Elliot

  3. University of Rochester, 437 Meliora Hall, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA

    Jeremy P. Jamieson

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  1. Emily J. Hangen
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Correspondence to Emily J. Hangen.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Hangen, E.J., Elliot, A.J. & Jamieson, J.P. Highlighting the difference between approach and avoidance motivation enhances the predictive validity of performance-avoidance goal reports. Motiv Emot 43, 387–399 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-018-9744-9

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