The effects of different goal orientations on motivation after failure

Abstract

The present study investigated the effects of different goal orientations on motivation after failure. A 2 goals (mastery vs. performance) x 2 regulatory focuses (approach vs. avoidance) experimental design was adopted. Junior secondary students (N = 173) voluntarily attended a prefix learning class. They were randomly assigned one of the four conditions and finished some computerized tasks. The result indicated performance-approach participants had lower persistence than mastery-approach, mastery-avoidant and performance-avoidant participants after failure feedback, regardless of self-efficacy level. Mastery-oriented participants displayed higher interest and higher willingness to seek challenge than performance-oriented participants after failure. Avoidance focus participants revised more materials than approach focus participants after failure.