Mastery-Avoidance Achievement Goal Effects in Young Versus Elderly Adults: A Laboratory Test

• In Event: Achievement Goal Theory: New Research and Applications

Abstract

Most achievement goal research into mastery-avoidance goals (i.e., striving to avoid losses), nearly all of it with children or young adults, indicates that they are maladaptive, especially in comparison to mastery-approach goals (i.e., striving for gains). Lifespan theories of motivation instead posit that elderly adults are more likely to strive toward maintenance and loss-prevention rather than gains due to diminishing resources in late adulthood. Integrating the two approaches, this experiment tested young versus elderly adults’ experience when pursuing either mastery-approach or mastery-avoidance goals on a word-finding task. Results show that young adults persisted longer, stayed more task focused, performed better, and enjoyed the activity more with mastery-approach goals, whereas elderly adults showed the opposite pattern. Theoretical implications are discussed.

Author

• Corwin Senko, State University of New York - New Paltz