A Model for Achievement Motives, Goal Orientations, Intrinsic Interest, and Academic Achievement

• Published in: Psychological reports 2001-02, Vol.88 (1), p.123-135
• Main Authors: Tanaka, Ayumi, Yamauchi, Hirotsugu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Achievement; Adolescent; Culture; Female; Goals; Humans; Japan; Motivation; Psychological Theory; Surveys and Questionnaires
• ISSN: 0033-2941; 1558-691X
• DOI: 10.2466/pr0.2001.88.1.123

This study investigated the effects of approach and avoidance achievement motives (the motive to achieve success and the motive to avoid failure) on three goal orientations (mastery, performance-approach, performance-avoidance goals) and the effects of goal orientations on intrinsic interest in learning and academic achievement for 157 tenth and 135 eleventh grade students of a Japanese girls' high school. Structural equation modeling indicated that mastery goals arose mainly from the motive to achieve success; however, the positive relation between the motive to avoid failure and mastery goals was also found. Performance-approach goals were related both the motive to achieve success and the motive to avoid failure. Performance-avoidance goals arouse mainly from the motive to avoid failure; however, the positive relation between the motive to achieve success and these goals was found. Mastery goals positively correlated with intrinsic interest and academic achievement, and scores on both performance-approach goals and performance-avoidance goals had no significant effects on either intrinsic or academic achievement.