Achievement Goals Among Friends: An Examination of Students’ Achievement, Efficacy, and Gender as Moderators of Selection and Influence Processes Across the School Year

• In Event: The Role of Peers and Context in Student Motivation

Abstract

This study investigated early adolescent friendship selection and influence in regards to achievement goals. Academic achievement, efficacy, and gender were examined as moderators in these processes. Longitudinal social network analysis indicated that all students tended to select friends who were similar to themselves and were influenced by their friends’ in regards to mastery goals. High-achieving students were less likely to choose friends with a similar level of performance-approach goals but were more influenced by their friends compared to low-achieving students. Highly efficacious students were more likely to choose friends with similar level of performance-approach goals than low efficacy students. Males were more influenced by their friends’ performance-approach goals than females.

Authors

• Huiyoung Shin, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

• Allison M. Ryan, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor