Potential-based achievement goals

Elliot, A.; Murayama, K.; Kobeisy, A.; Lichtenfeld, S.

Abstract

Background Self-based achievement goals use one's own intrapersonal trajectory as a standard of evaluation, and this intrapersonal trajectory may be grounded in one's past (past-based goals) or one's future potential (potential-based goals). Potential-based goals have been overlooked in the literature to date. Aims The primary aim of the present research was to address this oversight within the context of the 3 × 2 achievement goal framework. Samples The Study 1 sample was 381 US undergraduates; the Study 2 sample was 310 US undergraduates. Methods In Study 1, we developed scales to assess potential-approach and potential-avoidance goals and tested their factorial validity with exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. In Study 2, we used confirmatory factor analysis to test both the separability of past-based and potential-based goals and their higher order integration within the self-based category. Results Study 1 supported the factorial validity of the potential-approach and potential-avoidance goal scales. Study 2 supported the separability of past-based and potential-based goals, as well as their higher order integration within the self-based category. Conclusions This research documents the utility of the proposed distinction and paves the way for subsequent work on antecedent and consequences of potential-approach and potential-avoidance goals. It highlights the importance of focusing on distinct types of growth-based goals in the achievement goal literature.

Citation

Elliot, A., Murayama, K., Kobeisy, A., & Lichtenfeld, S. (2015). Potential-based achievement goals. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 85(2), 192-206. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjep.12051

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Jun 26, 2014
• Publication Date: Jun 1, 2015
• Deposit Date: Nov 7, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 24, 2018
• Journal: British Journal of Educational Psychology
• Print ISSN: 0007-0998
• Electronic ISSN: 2044-8279
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 85
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 192-206
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/bjep.12051
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1340367