Examining Approach and Avoidance Valences of the 3 X 2 Achievement Goal Types on an Engineering Student Sample: A Validity Approach

Development of the 3 × 2 achievement goal questionnaire (AGQ) advanced approach and avoidance goals in three goal types within the achievement goal framework: task-, self-, and other-based. The purpose of the present study was to examine empirical support for the construct validity, reliability, and measurement invariance of factors on the questionnaire and compare model fit of the 3 × 2 configuration to other alternatives. In addition to validating some of the findings reported in earlier studies, especially the inclusion of task-based goal orientations, the study highlights a limitation and potential boundary of the 3 × 2 AGQ. While the 3 × 2 model was found to be structurally valid, we found multiple validity supports for a definition-based model of the AGQ scale, which does not differentiate between goal approach or avoidance. The study provides some indications that approach and avoidance goals can be indistinguishable to some respondents. Nonetheless, the scale was invariant across multiple groups making group comparison possible.

Multiple-Goal Approach Among Indonesian University Students

A total of 1006 students from three public and two private universities in Indonesia participated in the study of multiple goals profiling in the Indonesian context. Four multiple-goal clusters, with learning, performance approach, performance avoidance, and work avoidance goals as clustering variables, were educed. Learning goals correlated positively with both performance approach and performance avoidance clusters, and negatively to work avoidance goals. Performance goals correlated positively with both performance avoidance and work avoidance goals. Learning, performance approach and performance avoidance goals correlated positively with self-efficacy. These clusters were further examined in relations to attributions, self-efficacy, theories of intelligence, religiosity, racial/ethnic identity, and academic performance.

The Project Manager “Language” in a Crisis Scenario

A pandemic scenario may add time and space limits to the relationships that exist between people and businesses. It is reasonable to assume that multiple projects are conditioned by those limitations. As a result, they should follow the same constraints. Two fundamental views that project managers should focus on during the management of projects are the technical-operative modalities they use to advance the activities and their mindset to manage their dynamics. The union of these two dimensions can be regarded as the “language” of project managers. This paper focuses on analyzing the impacts of pandemics on these dimensions and the ways through which these conditions could change the “language” to properly react to this kind of crisis. As argued here, the variables of “triad” (Reaction-ExecutionResults) combined with an appropriate mindset and the usage of a micro-goal approach could be an effective reply to a pandemic.

The effect of life coaching on psychological distress among dental students: interventional study

Background Depression, stress, and anxiety are common psychological conditions among dental students in many countries around the world. A number of researchers have found life coaching to be effective at reducing psychological distress. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a life coaching program on dental students’ psychological status. Methods A quasi-experiment study with two arms was conducted on 88 female dental students at Umm Al-Qura University (study group = 44; control group = 44). The psychological status was assessed by questionnaire before and after intervention. The questionnaire was composed of the Depression and Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), Resilience Scale (RS-14), the Psychological Well-Being Scale–Short (PWB-S), and goal approach questions. The study group received a coaching program comprising one lecture for 1 h and five phone coaching sessions over 5 weeks, while the control group received no intervention. Results The study group showed a significant reduction in depression, anxiety, stress, resilience, and self-acceptance according to the PWB-S scale. Also, goal approach was significantly improved. On the other hand, the control group showed a significant reduction on the RS-14 only. The differences in the tested scales between the study group and the control group from pre-intervention (T1) to post-intervention (T2) showed significant differences in depression, stress, self-acceptance, and goal approach measurements per t-test. Conclusion The study’s findings showed that life coaching had the effect of reducing psychological distress, which encouraged the implementation of coaching practice in the daily life of dental students.

Achievement Goals

This chapter describes the achievement goal construct’s origins and highlights noteworthy developments in the literature. Specifically it describes how the original dichotomous model of achievement goals developed into the modern trichotomous, 2 × 2, and 3 × 2 models of achievement goals. This historical overview is then used to provide the context for the key theoretical and conceptual issues surrounding the current achievement goal approach and a discussion of how these issues have an impact on empirical studies on achievement goals, especially focusing on the measurement of achievement goals. Finally, the text highlights several emerging lines of research in the literature. This includes achievement goal complexes, expansion of the competence-based model of achievement goals (e.g., potential-based achievement goals), and possible methodological improvement in assessing achievement goals.