Can Achievement Goal Orientations Predict Medical Students' Emotions and Does Gender Influence These Relationships Differently?

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 13
  In Poster Session: Motivation Models and Applications

Abstract

Motivation and emotion in learning is a burgeoning field of research. However, the relationship between the two remains inconclusive. This paper aims to examine gender-specific relationships among achievement goal orientations and achievement emotions in 24 medical students during clinical diagnosis in a computer-based learning environment. Correlation and regression analysis were conducted. As expected, mastery-approach goals correlate with positive emotional outcomes. Mastery-avoidance correlates with and predicts undesirable emotional outcomes regardless of gender. Our findings reveal some gender-specific relationships between AGOs and AEs: (a) performance-avoidance negatively correlates with females’ hope; (b) mastery-avoidance positively correlates with males’ shame. Performance-oriented goals did not predict emotions in this study. Our results could inform medical schools to cultivate adaptive AGOs and emotions that address gender profiles.

Authors

• Alejandra Ruiz-Segura, McGill University

• Tianshu Li, McGill University

• Susanne P. Lajoie, McGill University