"We Have to Be Twice as Good!" A Review of Achievement Goals for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Learners

• In Event: Critical Perspectives on Motivation in Racially and Ethnically Minoritized Students

Abstract

Achievement goal orientation (AGO) research centers the culture of Western middle-class Whiteness, and performance goals (PGs) are mainly considered maladaptive and relating to adverse outcomes. Our investigation explores whether this holds for BIPOC and economically disadvantaged students, who may choose PGs because they need to be twice as good due to social and systemic barriers. We conducted a situated, theoretical review of literature that considers the role of race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status in AGO research in three phases: 1) data collection, 2) screening, and 3) analysis. Preliminary findings demonstrate that AGOs differentially apply to various identity groups, influenced by several contextual factors. This study encourages future AGO research to prioritize context, cultural sensitivity, and race-reimaged understandings of AGOs.

Authors

• Destiny Williams-Dobosz, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Hannah Valdiviejas, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Giavanna McCall, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Christopher Seals, University of Louisville