Literature Review: Expanding achievement goal theory: the need for social goals

Abstract

Much of the research on achievement goal theory has focused on mastery and performance goals, with recent modifications of the theory resulting in the bifurcation of both mastery and performance goals into their approach and avoidance dimensions. This emphasis on mastery and performance goals may reflect Western individualist psychological thinking, thus the potential role of social goals in academic motivation is neglected. There is a dearth of studies investigating the role of social goals in academic motivation, and the few studies that did explore them are somewhat problematic. This paper reviews research done within the achievement goal theory, considers the need for more studies on social goals, and concludes with the argument that social goals are important in understanding student motivation especially in collectivist cultures.