Skip to main content

Achievement Goals

What are They and What Significance do They Have for Students’ Learning and Performance?

  • Chapter
New Voices in Norwegian Educational Research

Part of the book series: New Research – New Voices ((NRNV))

Abstract

Over the last three decades, the construct of achievement goals has received a great deal of attention internationally in the field of educational psychology. However, Nordic scholars and educators have not paid significant attention to this construct until recently. In this paper, I will first briefly review the history of the achievement goal construct.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 49.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Ames, C. (1984). Achievement attributions and self-instructions under competitive and individualistic goal structures. Journal of Educational Psychology, 76(3), 478–487. doi: 10.1037/0022–0663.76.3.478

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ames, C. (1992). Classrooms: Goals, structures, and student motivation. Journal of Educational Psychology, 84(3), 261–271. doi: 10.1037/0022–0663.84.3.261

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ames, C., & Ames, R. (1981). Competitive versus individualistic goal structures: The salience of past performance information for causal attributions and affect. Journal of Educational Psychology, 73(3), 411–418. doi: 10.1037/0022–0663.73.3.411

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ames, C., & Archer, J. (1987). Mothers’ beliefs about the role of ability and effort in school learning. Journal of Educational Psychology, 79(4), 409–414. doi: 10.1037/0022–0663.79.4.409

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ames, C., & Archer, J. (1988). Achievement goals in the classroom: Students’ learning strategies and motivation processes. Journal of Educational Psychology, 80(3), 260–267. doi: 10.1037/0022–0663.80.3.260

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderman, E. M., & Midgley, C. (1997). Changes in achievement goal orientations, perceived academic competence, and grades across the transition to middle-level schools. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 22(3), 269–298. doi: 10.1006/ceps.1996.0926

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderman, L. H., & Anderman, E. M. (1999). Social predictors of changes in students’ achievement goal orientations. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 24(1), 21–37. doi: 10.1006/ceps.1998.0978

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Archer, J. (1994). Achievement goals as a measure of motivation in university students. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 19(4), 430–446. doi: 10.1006/ceps.1994.1031

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Atkinson, J. W. (1957). Motivational determinants of risk-taking behavior. Psychological Review, 64(6, Pt.1), 359–372. doi: 10.1037/h0043445

    Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baron, R. M., & Kenny, D. A. (1986). The moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, 51(6), 1173–1182. doi: 10.1037/0022–3514.51.6.1173

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barron, K. E., & Harackiewicz, J. M. (2001). Achievement goals and optimal motivation: Testing multiple goal models. Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, 80(5), 706–722. doi: 10.1037/0022–3514.80.5.706

    Google Scholar 

  • Bong, M. (2005). Within-grade changes in korean girls’ motivation and perceptions of the learning environment across domains and achievement levels. Journal of Educational Psychology, 97(4), 656–672. doi: 10.1037/0022–0663.97.4.656

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brandmo, C. (2011). Fra ambisjon til prestasjon: En studie av relasjonene mellom epistemiske oppfatninger, motivasjon, bruk av læringsstrategier og akademiske prestasjoner hos økonomistudenter [From ambition to achievement: A study of the relations between epistemic beliefs, motivation, use of learning-strategies, and academic achievement among business-students] (unpublised doctoral dissertation). University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brandmo, C., & Bjørnebekk, G. (submitted). The dynamic interplay between students’ achievement goals, self-efficacy, and academic performance: A longitudinal study.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brophy, J. (2005). Goal theorists should move on from performance goals. Educational Psychologist, 40(3), 167–176. doi: 10.1207/s15326985ep4003_3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Butler, R. (2007). Teachers’ achievement goal orientations and associations with teachers’ help seeking: Examination of a novel approach to teacher motivation. Journal of Educational Psychology, 99(2), 241–252. doi: 10.1037/0022–0663.99.2.241

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Butler, R., & Shibaz, L. (2008). Achievement goals for teaching as predictors of students’ perceptions of instructional practices and students’ help seeking and cheating. Learning and Instruction, 18(5), 453–467. doi: 10.1016/j.learninstruc.2008.06.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cano, F., & Berbén, A. B. G. (2009). University students’ achievement goals and approaches to learning in mathematics. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 79(1), 131–153. doi: 10.1348/000709908X314928

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Church, M. A., Elliot, A. J., & Gable, S. L. (2001). Perceptions of classroom environment, achievement goals, and achievement outcomes. Journal of Educational Psychology, 93(1), 43–54. doi: 10.1037/0022–0663.93.1.43

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Covington, M. V., & Omelich, C. L. (1979). Effort: The double-edged sword in school achievement. Journal of Educational Psychology, 71(2), 169–182. doi: 10.1037/0022–0663.71.2.169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Covington, M. V., & Omelich, C. L. (1984). Task-oriented versus competitive learning structures: Motivational and performance consequences. Journal of Educational Psychology, 76(6), 1038–1050. doi: 10.1037//0022–0663.76.6.1038

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Covington, M. V., & Omelich, C. L. (1985). Ability and effort valuation among failure-avoiding and failure-accepting students. Journal of Educational Psychology, 77(4), 446–459. doi: 10.1037//0022–0663.77.4.446

    Google Scholar 

  • Covington, M. V., & Roberts, B. W. (1994). Self-worth and college achievement: Motivational and personality correlates. In P. E. Pintrich, D. R. Brown & C. E. Weinstein (Eds.), Student motivation, cognition, and learning. Essays in honor of Wilbert J. McKeachie. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cury, F., Elliot, A. J., Da Fonseca, D., & Moller, A. C. (2006). The social-cognitive model of achievement motivation and the 2 x 2 achievement goal framework. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 90(4), 666–679. doi: 10.1037/0022–3514.90.4.666

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duda, J. L., & Nicholls, J. G. (1992). Dimensions of achievement motivation in schoolwork and sport. Journal of Educational Psychology, 84(3), 290–299. doi: 10.1037/0022–0663.84.3.290

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dweck, C. S. (1986). Motivational processes affecting learning. The American Psychologist, 41(10), 1040–1048. doi: 10.1037/0003–066X.41.10.1040

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dweck, C. S., & Elliott, E. S. (1983). Achievement motivation. In P. H. Mussen & E. M. Hetherington (Eds.), Handbook of child psychology: Vol. 4. Socialization, personality, and social development (pp. 643–691). New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dweck, C. S., & Leggett, E. L. (1988). A social-cognitive approach to motivation and personality. Psychological Review, 95(2), 256–273. doi: 10.1037/0033–295x.95.2.256

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elliot, A. J. (1999). Approach and avoidance motivation and achievement goals. Educational Psychologist, 34(3), 169–189. doi: 10.1207/s15326985ep3403_3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elliot, A. J. (2005). A conceptual history of the achievement goal construct. In A. J. Elliot & C. S. Dweck (Eds.), Handbook of competence and motivation (pp. 52–72). New York: The Guiford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elliot, A. J., & Church, M. (1997). A hierarchical model of approach and avoidance achievement motivation. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 72(1), 218–232. doi: 10.1037//0022–3514.72.1.218

    Google Scholar 

  • Elliot, A. J., & Harackiewicz, J. M. (1996). Approach and avoidance achievement goals and intrinsic motivation: A mediational analysis. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 70(3), 461–475. doi: 10.1037/0022–3514.70.3.461

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elliot, A. J., & McGregor, H. A. (1999). Test anxiety and the hierarchical model of approach and avoidance achievement motivation. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 76(4), 628–644. doi: 10.1037/0022–3514.76.4.628

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elliot, A. J., & McGregor, H. A. (2001). A 2 × 2 achievement goal framework. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 80(3), 501–519. doi: 10.1037/0022–3514.80.3.501

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elliot, A. J., McGregor, H. A., & Gable, S. (1999). Achievement goals, study strategies and exam performance: A mediational analysis. Journal of Educational Psychology, 91(3), 549–563. doi: 10.1037/0022–0663.91.3.549

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elliot, A. J., & Murayama, K. (2008). On the measurement of achievement goals: Critique, illustration, and application. Journal of Educational Psychology, 100(3), 613–628. doi: 10.1037/0022–0663.100.3.613

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elliot, A. J., & Thrash, T. M. (2001). Achievement goals and the hierarchical model of achievement motivation. Educational Psychology Review, 13(2), 139–156. doi: 10.1023/a:1009057102306

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elliot, A. J., & Thrash, T. M. (2002). Approach-avoidance motivation in personality: Approach and avoidance temperaments and goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 82(5), 804–818. doi: 10.1037/0022–3514.82.5.804

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elstad, E. (2009). Schools which are named, shamed and blamed by the media: School accountability in norway. Educational Assessment, Evaluation and Accountability, 21(2), 173–189. doi:10.1007/s11092–009-9076–0

  • Fryer, J. W., & Elliot, A. J. (2007). Stability and change in achievement goals. Journal of Educational Psychology, 99(4), 700–714. doi: 10.1037/0022–0663.99.4.700

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harackiewicz, J. M., Baron, K. E., Tauer, J. M., Carter, S. M., & Elliot, A. J. (2000). Short-term and long-term consequences of achievement goals: Predicting interest and performance over time. Journal of Educational Psychology, 92(2), 316–330. doi: 10.1037//0022–0663.92.2.316

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harackiewicz, J. M., Baron, K. E., Tauer, J. M., & Elliot, A. J. (2002). Predicting success in college: A longitudinal study of achivement goals and ability measures as predictors of interest and performance from freshman year through graduation. Journal of Educational Psychology, 94(3), 562–575. doi: 10.1037/0022–0663.94.3.562

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harackiewicz, J. M., Barron, K. E., Carter, S. M., Lehto, A. T., & Elliot, A. J. (1997). Predictors and consequences of achievement goals in the college classroom: Maintaining interest and making the grade. Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, 73(6), 1284–1295. doi: 10.1037/0022–3514.73.6.1284

    Google Scholar 

  • Harackiewicz, J. M., Barron, K. E., Pintrich, P. R., Elliot, A. J., & Thrash, T. M. (2002). Revision of achievement goal theory: Necessary and illuminating. Journal of Educational Psychology, 94(3), 638–645. doi: 10.1037/0022–0663.94.3.638

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harackiewicz, J. M., Durik, A. M., Barron, K. E., Linnenbrink-Garcia, L., & Tauer, J. M. (2008). The role of achievement goals in the development of interest: Reciprocal relations between achievement goals, interest, and performance. Journal of Educational Psychology, 100(1), 105–122. doi: 10.1037/0022–0663.100.1.105

    Google Scholar 

  • Hulleman, C. S., Durik, A. M., Schweigert, S. B., & Harackiewicz, J. M. (2008). Task values, achievement goals, and interest: An integrative analysis. Journal of Educational Psychology, 100(2), 398–416. doi: 10.1037/0022–0663.100.2.398

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hulleman, C. S., Schrager, S. M., Bodmann, S. M., & Harackiewicz, J. M. (2010). A meta-analytic review of achievement goal measures: Different labels for the same constructs or different constructs with similar labels? Psychological Bulletin, 136(3), 422–449. doi: 10.1037/a0018947

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, A., & Maehr, M. L. (2007). The contributions and prospects of goal orientation theory. Educational Psychology Review, 19(2), 141–184. doi: 10.1007/s10648–006-9012–5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, A., & Middleton, M. J. (2002). Should childhood be a journey or a race? Response to harackiewicz et al. (2002). Journal of Educational Psychology, 94(3), 646–648. doi: 10.1037//0022–0663.94.3.646

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Law, W., Elliot, A. J., & Murayama, K. (2012). Perceived competence moderates the relation between performance-approach and performance-avoidance goals. Journal of Educational Psychology, 104(3), 806–819. doi: 10.1037/a0027179

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Linnenbrink-Garcia, L., Middleton, M. J., Ciani, K. D., Easter, M. A., O’Keefe, P. A., & Zusho, A. (2012). The strength of the relation between performance-approach and performance-avoidance goal orientations: Theoretical, methodological, and instructional implications. Educational Psychologist, 47(4), 281–301. doi: 10.1080/00461520.2012.722515

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Linnenbrink, E. A., Tyson, D. F., & Patall, E. A. (2008). When are achievement goal orientation beneficial for academic achievement? A closer look at main effects and moderating factors. International Review of Social Psychology, 21(1/2), 19–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maehr, M. L. (1983). On doing well in science: Why johnny no longer excels: Why sarah never did. In S. G. Paris, G. Olson & H. Stephenson (Eds.), Learning and motivation in the classroom. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum & Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maehr, M. L., Ames, C., Covington, M. V., & Weiner, B. (2006). The development of theories of achievement motivation: Reflections from founders of the motivation sig. (Chair: A.Kaplan) Symposium held at the Annual Meeting of American Educational Research Assosiation, San Francisco.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maehr, M. L., & Nicholls, J. G. (1980). Culture and achievement motivation: A second look. In N. Warren (Ed.), Studies in crosscultural psychology (vol. 3) (pp. 221–267): New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meece, J. L., & Miller, S. D. (2001). A longitudinal analysis of elementary school students’ achievement goals in literacy activities. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 26(4), 454–480. doi: 10.1006/ ceps.2000.1071

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Middleton, M. J., Kaplan, A., & Midgley, C. (2004). The change in middle school students’ achievement goals in mathematics over time. Social Psychology of Education, 7(3), 289–311. doi: 10.1023/B:SPOE.0000037484.86850.fa

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Middleton, M. J., & Midgley, C. (1997). Avoiding the demonstration of lack of ability: An underexplored aspect of goal theory. Journal of Educational Psychology, 89(4), 710–718. doi: 10.1037/0022–0663.89.4.710

    Google Scholar 

  • Midgley, C., Kaplan, A., & Middleton, M. (2001). Perfomance-approach goals: Good for what, for whom, under what circumstances, and what cost? Journal of Educational Psychology, 93(1), 77–86. doi: 10.1037/0022–0663.93.1.77

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muis, K. R., & Edwards, O. (2009). Examining the stability of achievement goal orientation. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 34(4), 265–277. doi: 10.1016/j.cedpsych.2009.06.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murayama, K., & Elliot, A. J. (2012). The competition–performance relation: A meta-analytic review and test of the opposing processes model of competition and performance. Psychological Bulletin, 138(6), 1035–1070. doi: 10.1037/a0028324

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nicholls, J. G. (1984). Achievement motivation: Conceptions of ability, subjective experience, task choice, and performance. Psychological Review, 91(3), 328–346. doi: 10.1037/0033–295X.91.3.328

  • O’Donnell, R. J., & White, G. P. (2005). Within the accountability era: Principals’ instructional leadership behaviors and student achievement. NASSP Bulletin, 89(645), 56–71. doi: 10.1177/019263650508964505

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ommundsen, Y., & Pedersen, B. H. (1999). The role of achievement goal orientations and perceived ability upon somatic and cognitive indices of sport competition trait anxiety – a study of young athletes. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 9(6), 333–343. doi: 10.1111/j.1600–0838.1999.tb00254.x

  • Ommundsen, Y., & Roberts, G. C. (1996). Goal orientations and perceived purposes of training among elite athletes. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 83(2), 463–471. doi: 10.2466/pms.1996.83.2.463

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ommundsen, Y., Roberts, G. C., Lemyre, P. N., & Miller, B. W. (2005). Peer relationships in adolescent competitive soccer: Associations to perceived motivational climate, achievement goals and perfectionism. Journal of Sports Sciences, 23(9), 977–989. doi: 10.1080/02640410500127975

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pintrich, P. R. (2000a). Multiple goals, multiple pathways: The role of goal orientation in learning and achievement. Journal of Educational Psychology, 92(3), 544–555. doi: 10.1037/0022–0663.92.3.544

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pintrich, P. R. (2000b). The role of goal orientation in self-regulated learning. In M. Boekaerts, P. R. Pintrich & M. Zeidner (Eds.), Handbook of self-regulation (pp. 450–502). San Diego: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Retelsdorf, J., Butler, R., Streblow, L., & Schiefele, U. (2010). Teachers’ goal orientations for teaching: Associations with instructional practices, interest in teaching, and burnout. Learning and Instruction, 20(1), 30–46. doi: 10.1016/j.learninstruc.2009.01.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Retelsdorf, J., & Günther, C. (2011). Achievement goals for teaching and teachers’ reference norms: Relations with instructional practices. Teaching and Teacher Education, 27(7), 1111–1119. doi: 10.1016/j.tate.2011.05.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seifert, T. L. (1996). The stability of goal orientation in grade five students: Comparison of two methodologies. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 66(1), 73–82. doi: 10.1111/j.2044–8279.1996.tb01177.x

    Google Scholar 

  • Senko, C., & Harackiewicz, J. M. (2005). Regulation of achievement goals: The role of competence feedback. Journal of Educational Psychology, 97(3), 320–336. doi: 10.1037/0022–0663.97.3.320

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Senko, C., Hulleman, C. S., & Harackiewicz, J. M. (2011). Achievement goal theory at the crossroads: Old controversies, current challenges, and new directions. Educational Psychologist, 46(1), 26–47. doi: 10.1080/00461520.2011.538646

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skaalvik, E. M. (1997). Self-enhancing and self-defeating ego orientation: Relations with task and avoidance orientation, achievement, self-perceptions, and anxiety. Journal of Educational Psychology, 89(1), 71–81. doi: 10.1037/0022–0663.89.1.71

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stipek, D., & Gralinski, J. H. (1996). Children’s beliefs about intelligence and school performance. Journal of Educational Psychology, 88(3), 397–407. doi: 10.1037/0022–0663.88.3.397

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tucker, M. S., & Codding, J. B. (Eds.). (2002). The principal challenge: Leading and managing schools in an era of accountability. Hoboken, NJ: Jossey-Bass/Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winne, P. H. (2010). Improving measurements of self-regulated learning. Educational Psychologist, 45(4), 267 – 276. doi: 10.1080/00461520.2010.517150

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Winne, P. H., & Hadwin, A. F. (1998). Studying as self-regulated learning. In D. J. Hacker, J. Dunlosky & A. C. Graesser (Eds.), Metacognition in educational theory and practice (pp. 277–304). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winne, P. H., & Jamieson-Noel, D. (2002). Exploring students’ calibration of self reports about study tactics and achievement. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 27(4), 551–572. doi:10.1016/S0361–476X(02)00006–1

    Google Scholar 

  • Winne, P. H., & Jamieson-Noel, D. (2003). Self-regulating studying by objectives for learning: Students’ reports compared to a model. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 28(3), 259–276. doi:10.1016/S0361–476X(02)00041–3

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolters, C. A. (2003). Regulation of motivation: Evaluating an underemphasized aspect of self-regulated learning. Educational Psychologist, 38(4), 189–205. doi: 10.1207/S15326985EP3804_1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wolters, C. A., Yu, S. L., & Pintrich, P. R. (1996). The relation between goal orientation and students’ motivational beliefs and self-regulated learning. Learning and Individual Differences, 8(3), 211–238. doi: 10.1016/S1041–6080(96)90015–1

  • Zimmerman, B. J. (2000). Attaining self-regulation. In M. Boekaerts, P. R. Pintrich & M. Zeidner (Eds.), Handbook of self-regulation (pp. 13–39). San Diego: Academic Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Zimmerman, B. J., & Kitsantas, A. (1997). Developmental phases in self-regulation: Shifting from process goals to outcome goals. Journal of Educational Psychology, 89(1), 29–36. doi: 10.1037/0022–0663.89.1.29

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Sense Publishers

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Brandmo, C. (2013). Achievement Goals. In: New Voices in Norwegian Educational Research. New Research – New Voices. SensePublishers, Rotterdam. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-6209-464-2_2

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics