Measuring Goal Orientation in a Work Domain

The current research extended the three-factor (mastery, performance-approach, and performance-avoidance) measure of achievement goals in a work domain to the four-factor conceptualization (in a 2 × 2 framework) by adding items to represent mastery-avoidance goals. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted on two independent samples to evaluate the dimensionality of scores. Results from both samples indicated that after dropping 5 problematic mastery-avoidance items, responses to a reduced 18-item version of the instrument fit a four-factor model well. In addition, initial support for each of the four goal orientations having a unique relationship to theoretically related external criteria was found.

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