The effects of chronic achievement motivation and achievement primes on the activation of achievement and fun goals

J Pers Soc Psychol. 2009 Dec;97(6):1129-41. doi: 10.1037/a0017146.

Abstract

This research examined the hypothesis that situational achievement cues can elicit achievement or fun goals depending on chronic differences in achievement motivation. In 4 studies, chronic differences in achievement motivation were measured, and achievement-denoting words were used to influence behavior. The effects of these variables were assessed on self-report inventories, task performance, task resumption following an interruption, and the pursuit of means relevant to achieving or having fun. Findings indicated that achievement priming (vs. control priming) activated a goal to achieve and inhibited a goal to have fun in individuals with chronically high-achievement motivation but activated a goal to have fun and inhibited a goal to achieve in individuals with chronically low-achievement motivation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Achievement*
  • Behavior / physiology*
  • Choice Behavior / physiology
  • Cues*
  • Female
  • Goals*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Motivation / physiology*
  • Play and Playthings / psychology*
  • Students / psychology