Goal Theory
Introduction:
Achievement Goal Theory categorizes learners into three different types: Performance Avoid, Performance Approach, and Learning Mastery. This website outlines the three goal theories, their causes and effects, what teachers can do in order to address them, and their application to the Calvin and Hobbes comic.
Performance Avoid
Students who exhibit Performance Avoid orientation typically achieve less than the other orientations. Learners who fall under this category purposely avoid trying so they are not labeled as "dumb". The term "self-handicapping" refers to when students purposely put up obstacles for themselves so they will perform poorly. Covington notes that, "Students experienced the greatest amount shame under conditions of high effort and far less shame under low-effort" (Covington, 1992).
Performance Approach
Students who exhibit Performance Approach orientation strive to prove to others then they can achieve. Whether it be their classmates, teachers, or even their parents. These students typically do well, but struggle with comparing themselves constantly to their peers. Students who display this orientations show a great effort in their school performance but tend to avoid challenges that could put them at a disadvantage (Midgley & Kaplan et. al 2001).
Learning Mastery
Students who exhibit Learning Mastery orientation are focused on learning the material and developing competence within a subject area. Learning mastery students are far less concerned with the way other people are perceiving them. In mastery goal orientation, "the focus is developing their competence as well as learning and understanding (Garcia, Tyson, Patall, 2008)
In Comic
This presentation will note how Calvin exhibits the different types of goal theory orientations. Calvin notably exhibits traits of a certain orientation but when examined closer, he shows characteristics of each theory. This website will provide analysis regarding the theory as well as its application to Calvin.