The Effects of Preference: Investigating a Path Model for Achievement Goals, Anxiety, and Self-Regulated Emotions

• In Event: Examining the Synergistic Relationship Between Motivational Variables and Self-Regulated Learning

Abstract

The current study investigates a path model for how achievement goals (mastery, performance-approach, and performance-avoidance) predict anxiety, which is in turn regulated through reappraisal and suppression. Using Structural Equation Modeling, these relations were investigated across favorite and least favorite courses. In contrast to hypothesis, across both contexts performance-approach goals were negatively related to anxiety, which was suppressed. Additionally, in least favorite courses, mastery and performance-avoidance goals were positively related to anxiety, which was related to reappraisal. Mean differences showed that motivation and self-regulated emotions were higher in favorite courses, whereas anxiety was lower in favorite courses. The findings point to the importance of examining self-regulated emotions as part of the self-regulated learning paradigm and in considering learning context preference.

Authors

• Adar Ben-Eliyahu, University of Haifa

• Liz Elmakias, University of Haifa

• Mazi Azvelos, University of Haifa