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UNDERSTANDING MOTIVATION 67
that his goal orientation is influenced by the value he placed on dif-
ferent courses. What factors influence your goal orientations?
Student Reflections
For years, my goal in all my classes has been to achieve a certain
grade. The grade differed from class to class depending on my
confidence for success in the course. This strategy has been my plan
changed, and I rarely participate in class just for the simple pleasure
of learning. I enjoy a class once a discussion begins, but I usually
prefer to be somewhere else. I am performance rather than mastery
driven. I do not care to learn anything for the sake of learning.
Schoolwork is just a means to an end: graduation and a degree.
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Learning how to understand my own motivation has helped my self-
management in school. Every class is different, and I have learned to
take its importance into consideration. Some classes are simply for
utility purposes—a means to an end. In these classes, I set goals for
myself based on performing at a level equal to or better than my peers.
I possibly can. These classes are exciting, and I am strictly mastery
oriented. By seeing my classes for what they are, I can set goals
suitable for their purpose. Each one is different, and as I achieve in
each class, my confidence is maintained because of the goals I set.
Whenever I begin to feel discouraged with a low grade on an exam
of attack since elementary school. Unfortunately, my goals have never
However, in my major courses, I am concerned with learning all that
or paper in a class that I don’t value, I remind myself of my goal for
the course. In this way, I don’t get down on myself.
Your goal orientation in a particular course can greatly impact
your motivation, even before you ever open a textbook or take your
first lecture notes. Analyze your goal orientation in each of the classes
you are currently taking. Do you have the same goal orientation in
all of your classes? Do you think you exhibit both orientations in
some classes? Do you find that your learning behavior differs depend-
ing on your goal orientation? Also, think about a hobby or particu-
lar interest you have. How long can you persist on the task before
getting tired or bored? How is your behavior related to your goal
orientation?
Do I Believe I Can Do Well on Different Academic Tasks? Values and goals
determine students’ reasons for engaging in different tasks. Another