Self-Efficacy as a Protective Mechanism Against Performance-Avoidance Goals: Contextual Antecedents and Reading Outcomes

• In Event: Poster Session 5
  In Poster Session: Social and Cultural Processes in Motivation Research

Abstract

We examined the extent to which students’ perceived classroom goal structures explain their adoption of personal achievement goals and self-efficacy and how these motivational characteristics relate to word reading and reading comprehension in upper elementary struggling readers (N = 112). In a series of path analyses, different patterns emerged depending on the reading outcomes. Mastery goal was negatively predictive while self-efficacy was positively predictive of word reading. None of the student motivation measures explained reading comprehension. However, for both word reading and reading comprehension outcomes, self-efficacy had a positive moderating role against the negative effect of performance-avoidance goal on reading. Our finding also highlight the importance of mastery goal stressed in classroom to promote positive self-efficacy in reading comprehension.

Authors

• Eunsoo Cho, Michigan State University

• Minhye Lee, Korea University

• Jessica R. Toste, The University of Texas - Austin