Goal Structures, Peer Climate, and Social Goals: Distinguishing Peer and Classroom Effects Using Multilevel Analysis

• In Event: 54.027 - Best Practices in Peer and Collaborative Learning

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to compare classroom and peer-group level effects on students’ social goals. A sample of high school students (N = 855) completed surveys that assessed social goals, perceived classroom goal structures and academic peer motivational climate. In addition, students identified friends within the class. Three-level hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) revealed that group level perceptions of mastery goal structure and positive peer climate were associated with social development goals, whereas perceptions of performance goal structure and negative peer climate were associated with social demonstration-approach and -avoidance goals. These effects become nonsignificant when controlling for group level social goals. These findings shed light on the processes of social contagion related to social motivation.

Authors

• Nir Madjar, Bar Ilan University

• Melissa Karakus, School District of Philadelphia