Nico W. Van Yperen

A novel approach to assessing achievement goals in the context of the 2 x 2 framework: identifying distinct profiles of individuals with different dominant achievement goals.

In two studies, individuals’ dominant achievement goals were assessed using a new, simple, and conceptually precise measure based on Elliot and McGregor’s (2001) 2 × 2 framework. Next, the four groups were compared in terms of achievement-relevant variables, including need for achievement, perfectionism, perceived competence, interest, and graded performance. As expected, a very high percentage (approximately 85%) of people indicated they had a dominant achievement goal. Furthermore, the results suggest that individuals with different dominant achievement goals have clear, distinct profiles that can be characterized as positively valenced (mastery-approach), both positively and negatively valenced (performance-approach), negatively valenced (performance-avoidance), or neither positively nor negatively valenced (mastery-avoidance).In two studies, individuals’ dominant achievement goals were assessed using a new, simple, and conceptually precise measure based on Elliot and McGregor’s (2001) 2 × 2 framework. Next, the four groups were compared in terms of achievement-relevant variables, including need for achievement, perfectionism, perceived competence, interest, and graded performance. As expected, a very high percentage (approximately 85%) of people indicated they had a dominant achievement goal. Furthermore, the results suggest that individuals with different dominant achievement goals have clear, distinct profiles that can be characterized as positively valenced (mastery-approach), both positively and negatively valenced (performance-approach), negatively valenced (performance-avoidance), or neither positively nor negatively valenced (mastery-avoidance).

Referential Comparisons, Relational Comparisons, and Exchange Orientation: Their Relation to Marital Satisfaction

Employing a sample of 214 individuals, this study showed that most individuals felt the input/outcome ratio in their marital relationship was better than that of most same-sex others (referential comparisons) but equal to that of their spouse (relational comparisons). Perceptions of superiority in referential comparisons and of equity in relational comparisons were accompanied by the highest level of marital satisfaction. However, further analyses showed that only for individuals high in exchange orientation was equity related to marital satisfaction and that individuals low in exchange orientation were, overall, more satisfied with their relationship. Women were more deprived and less satisfied, especially when they were high in exchange orientation. The results are related to the controversy surrounding the application of equity theory to close relationships. In addition, the cognitive mechanisms that help individuals maintain a positive view of their marital relationship are considered.

Fatigued and Dissatisfied or Fatigued but Satisfied? Goal Orientations and Responses to High Job Demands

The present study tested dispositional goal orientation as an explanation for variation in responses to high job demands. Survey data from 322 university employees demonstrated that Job demands wer...

Achievement Goals and Interpersonal Behavior: How Mastery and Performance Goals Shape Information Exchange

The present research examines the impact of achievement goals on task-related information exchange. Studies 1 and 2 reveal that relative to those with mastery goals or no goal, individuals pursuing performance goals were less open in their information giving to exchange partners. Study 2 further clarifies this effect of achievement goals by showing that performance goals generate an exploitation orientation toward information exchange. Furthermore, relative to individuals with mastery goals or no goal, people pursuing performance goals enhanced their task performance by utilizing more high-quality information obtained from their exchange partner (Study 1) and protected their task performance by more rigorously disregarding received low-quality information (Study 2).

Burnout and depression are not identical twins: is decline of superiority a distinguishing feature?

There has been considerable debate about the difference between burnout and depression. To shed more light on this issue, we explored whether depressive symptomatology and the components of burnout are differentially related to feelings of superiority. Based on the clinical picture of depression, which seems to reflect a general sense of defeat, it was expected that individuals high in burnout and low in superiority would experience depressive symptoms. Results confirmed our expectation. Furthermore, depression was significantly related to superiority, whereas no link was observed between the core symptom of burnout (i.e., emotional exhaustion) and superiority. It is concluded that depression and burnout are closely related, but that they are certainly not identical twins.

To Win, or Not to Lose, At Any Cost: The Impact of Achievement Goals on Cheating

We examined the relations between achievement goals and cheating in two studies. The findings from Study 1 show that the extent to which people intend to behave unethically in the areas of work, sport and education is a function of their dominant achievement goals in these particular settings. An even more important addition to the extant literature may be the finding from Study 2 that imposing achievement goals on individuals affects actual cheating behaviour during task performance. Consistent across both studies, performance-based goals (i.e. goals grounded in an interpersonal standard) were more strongly associated with cheating than mastery-based goals (i.e. goals grounded in an intrapersonal standard). We conclude that recognizing and understanding the effects of achievement goals on cheating behaviour may enable business leaders, organizations and their employees to create ethical organizations.

A Meta-Analysis of Self-Reported Achievement Goals and Nonself-Report Performance across Three Achievement Domains (Work, Sports, and Education)

During the past three decades, the achievement goal approach to achievement motivation has emerged as an influential area of research, and is dedicated to understanding the reasons behind the individual’s drive to achieve competence and performance. However, the current literature on achievement goals is segmented rather than integrated. That is, citations across the three major and distinct achievement domains (work, education, and sports) are more the exception than the rule and similarities and differences between findings for the different achievement domains have yet to be tested. The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationships between self-reported achievement goals and nonself-report performance through meta-analysis, and the moderating potential of achievement domain. Identifying achievement domain as moderator improves our understanding to which contexts we can (not) generalize conclusions to, it helps to understand seemingly inconsistent findings, and opens avenues for future research on the underlying processes. Because the achievement goal (AG) measure used in a study is partially confounded with achievement domain, we examined the moderating role of this variable as well. Our findings suggest that – overall – approach goals (either mastery or performance) were associated positively with performance attainment, whereas avoidance goals (either mastery or performance) were associated negatively with performance attainment. These relationships were moderated by achievement domain. For example, relative to the education or work domain, in the sports domain, we did not observe negative correlations between avoidance goals and performance. The absence of statistical moderation due to AG measure suggests that the observed moderation of achievement domain cannot be explained by the AG measure utilized. We suggest further steps to integrate the achievement goal literature, and accordingly, to broaden and deepen understanding of performance attainment in competence-relevant settings, including the workplace, the sports field, and the classroom.

Why cross-national differences in role overload? Don't overlook ambient temperature!

The finding that, across nations, power distance (expected and accepted unequal interpersonal influence) Is positively related to role overload (Peterson et al., 1995) might he an artifact of the relation between role overload and ambient temperature or other third factors. We related data on power distance and role overload to other data sets, making explicit how much is often not considered when countries are compared. Results show a mysterious but unmistakable heat-overload link, which is discussed from both a physiopsychological and an evolutionary cultural perspective.

Does marriage protect older people from distress? The role of equity and recency of bereavement.

The association between marital status and distress was examined in a largely neglected group, namely older people (65 and older; N = 1,649). In this 2-wave study, married persons were less distressed than single persons, but perceived equity within the marriage and recency of bereavement qualified these findings. Married persons who felt inequitably treated were more distressed than persons who had always been single. Married persons reported less distress than recently (= 2 years ago) widowed persons, but only equitably treated married persons reported less distress than persons widowed for more than 2 years. Increased distress between the 2 waves occurred in recently widowed persons, and there was a decrease in distress in persons who were widowed shortly before the 1st wave. No gender effects were found.

Equity Theory and Exchange and Communal Orientation from a Cross-National Perspective

Abstract The present study explored differences between subjects from the United States and the Netherlands with respect to the evaluation of potential contributions to an intimate relationship, sex role attitudes, and communal and exchange orientation; the applicability of equity theory to intimate relationships; and the possible moderator effect of individual difference variables (i.e., exchange and communal orientation). The sample consisted of 133 students from the United States (41 male, 92 female; mean age, 20.9 years) and 143 students from the Netherlands (40 male, 103 female; mean age, 22.9 years). Clear differences were found between the American and Dutch subjects. They evaluated several contributions to an intimate relationship differently, and there were greater differences between American male and female students than between Dutch male and female students. American subjects had more sex role stereotyped attitudes and were more exchange oriented; equity theory fit better among the Americans,...