The Influence of Regulatory Focus on Standardized Test Performance

• In Event: Poster Session 12
  In Poster Session: Motivation in Education SIG Poster Session 1

Abstract

According to regulatory focus theory (Higgins 1997), individuals strategically regulate their goal pursuit differently depending on whether they are concerned with seeking opportunities to maximize their performance (i.e., promotion-focused) or concerned with protecting against threats that could jeopardize successful performance (i.e., prevention-focused). Three studies examined the effects of regulatory focus on standardized test performance. In Studies 1 and 2, prevention-focused students outperformed promotion-focused students on two sections of an SAT practice test. However, under increased time pressure (Study 3), promotion- and prevention-focused students performed equally well. These findings suggest that a prevention focus is more adaptive for performance in testing contexts with minimal stress and time-pressure, whereas a promotion focus may become more adaptive as test pressure increases.

Authors

• Emily Quinn Rosenzweig, University of Maryland - College Park

• David B. Miele, Boston College