Poster #20 - Has Achievement Goal Theory Been Right? A Meta-Analysis on Goal Structures and Personal Achievement Goals

• In Event: 15.062 - MTCC Poster Session One
  In Poster Session: 15.062-2 - Contemporary Issues in Motivation Research Models of Motivation: Theoretical and Applied Advances

Abstract

Achievement goal theory includes both personal motivational features (achievement goals) and contextual features (goal structures). The theory holds that the prevailing goal structures in learning environments (such as the classroom) influence the achievement goals students adopt. This meta-analysis (k = 59, N = 39,896) examined the strength of relationships between student ratings of goal structures and achievement goals, and their potentially moderating variables. Results indicated that each achievement goal was most strongly related to its contextual counterpart. Although we found some evidence for moderating influences of educational level, heterogeneity remained substantial when accounting for moderators. Based on the findings of our meta-analysis, challenges and promising routes on future research and theory building are discussed.

Authors

• Sophie Oczlon, University of Vienna

• Lisa Bardach, University of York

• Jakob Pietschnig, University of Vienna

• Marko Lüftenegger, Universität Wien