Achievement Goals and Creative Research Engagement: Investigating Motivational Processes in Germany and Türkiye

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Abstract

Creative research engagement is essential for scientific progress but varies substantially across individuals and contexts. Drawing on achievement goal theory, this cross-national study investigates how individual goal orientations are related to researchers’ creative thinking and behavior. We surveyed academics from Germany and Türkiye (N = 30 + ongoing) regarding their achievement goals for research and self-reported creative research engagement. Regression analyses with the German sample revealed that learning avoidance goals and relational goals were positively associated with creativity, whereas work avoidance goals showed negative associations. Performance goals were statistically unrelated to creative engagement. These findings support a process-centered perspective that emphasizes individual motivation as a driver of creativity in research.

Authors

• Martin Daumiller, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich

• Merve Zayim-Kurtay, Middle East Technical University