The role of goal structures and peer climate in trajectories of social achievement goals during high school.

• DOI: 10.1037/a0038801
• Publication Date: 2015-03-02T17:57:43Z
• Authors: Kara A. Makara; Nir Madjar
• Keywords: Salience (neuroscience); Goal Orientation

Students' social goals-reasons for engaging in interpersonal relationships with peers-are consequential students' interactions their peers at school and well-being.Despite importance the salience of peer during adolescence, research on goals is generally lacking compared to academic it unknown how these develop over time, especially among high students.The aim study was assess trajectories across two years as well determine relevant individual contextual variables predicted initial levels goals.Participants were 9 th -12 grade students (N = 526) attending a US school.Students filled out surveys (social development, demonstration-approach, demonstration-avoidance) six times years.Non-linear growth curve analyses piece-wise used time.Students' differed based gender, level, prior achievement, perceptions classroom structures climate.Furthermore, despite substantial stability shapes goal by climate.In particular, who perceived an increase performance-avoidance maintained higher demonstration decreased developmental positive climate demonstration-avoidance goals.Implications directions future are discussed.