CLARIFYING THE CONCEPTUAL DEFINITIONS OF GOAL ORIENTATION DIMENSIONS: COMPETENCE, CONTROL, AND EVALUATION

Abstract

The current study examined relationships between goal orientation dimensions and other individual difference constructs in order to clarify the conceptual definition of goal orientation. Results from a sample of university students (N = 228) revealed that learning goal orientation is related to constructs addressing competence (need for achievement, intrinsic motivation, and private self‐consciousness) and to constructs addressing control (locus of control and dominance). Additionally, results indicated that performance goal orientation is related to constructs addressing individuals' desire for favorable evaluations (social desirability and public self‐consciousness). Finally, we proposed that self‐esteem addresses issues relating to both competence and desire for favorable evaluations, and results revealed support for predicted relationships with learning and performance goal orientation dimensions. Our clarification of the goal orientation construct provides a framework to guide future research.

Citation

Heintz, P. and Steele‐Johnson, D. (2004), "CLARIFYING THE CONCEPTUAL DEFINITIONS OF GOAL ORIENTATION DIMENSIONS: COMPETENCE, CONTROL, AND EVALUATION", Organizational Analysis, Vol. 12 No. 1, pp. 5-19. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb028983