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Trait Goal Orientation, Self-Regulation, and Performance: A Meta-Analysis

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to meta-analytically examine trait goal orientation constructs and their relationships with the self-regulation variables of self-monitoring, self-evaluations, self-reactions, and self-efficacy as well as task performance across a range of contexts.

Design, Methodology, Approach

Data were gathered from published and unpublished research examining the goal orientation construct and self-regulation and/or task performance. Effect sizes from 102 research reports involving over 16,000 participants were included.

Findings

In general the mastery-approach goal orientation construct was positively related to the self-regulation and performance variables. Conversely, negative relationships were found between the performance-avoid goal orientation and those variables. Relationships between goal orientation and self-regulation tended to be higher compared to those found for goal orientation and performance. Overall, the findings support the discriminant validity of the three factors of goal orientation (mastery-approach, performance-approach, performance-avoid).

Practical Implications

Practitioners and researchers will benefit from learning that mastery-approach goal orientation consistently relates to self-regulation and task performance. The findings indicate that a mastery-approach goal orientation could serve as a meaningful predictor in selection processes or as an explanatory variable of motivation.

Originality/Value

The present study updates and expands upon past research by focusing on relationships of trait goal orientation across a variety of contexts. The results extend meta-analytic results to a wider range of self-regulatory variables.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, DePaul University, 2219 N. Kenmore Ave., Chicago, IL, 60614, USA

    Douglas F. Cellar, Alice F. Stuhlmacher, Samuel K. Young, David M. Fisher, Christopher K. Adair, Sarah Haynes, Emily Twichell, Kathleen A. Arnold, Kendra Royer, Bethany Lynn Denning & Devon Riester

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  1. Douglas F. Cellar
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  2. Alice F. Stuhlmacher
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  3. Samuel K. Young
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  4. David M. Fisher
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  5. Christopher K. Adair
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  6. Sarah Haynes
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  7. Emily Twichell
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  8. Kathleen A. Arnold
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  9. Kendra Royer
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  10. Bethany Lynn Denning
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  11. Devon Riester
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Correspondence to Douglas F. Cellar or Alice F. Stuhlmacher.

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Cellar, D.F., Stuhlmacher, A.F., Young, S.K. et al. Trait Goal Orientation, Self-Regulation, and Performance: A Meta-Analysis. J Bus Psychol 26, 467–483 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-010-9201-6

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