Achieving goal theory has emerged as one of the preeminent approaches to motivation. This volume presents the findings of a large scale, longitudinal study which uses goal theory as the lens through which to examine the relation among achievement goals: the learning context; and students' and teachers' patterns of cognition, affect and behaviour. These results are integrated within the larger literature on goal theory, providing an overview of the research that has been conducted, as well as suggestions that goal theory researchers might want to consider.
Table of Contents:
Contents: M.L. Maehr, Foreword. C. Midgley, Preface. E.M. Anderman, C. Midgley, Methods for Studying Goals, Goal Structures, and Patterns of Adaptive Learning. A. Kaplan, M.J. Middleton, T. Urdan, C. Midgley, Achievement Goals and Goal Structures. T. Urdan, A.M. Ryan, E.M. Anderman, M.H. Gheen, Goals, Goal Structures, and Avoidance Behaviors. H. Patrick, L.H. Anderman, A.M. Ryan, Social Motivation and the Classroom Social Environment. C. Midgley, M.J. Middleton, M.H. Gheen, R. Kumar, Stage--Environment Fit Revisited: A Goal Theory Approach to Examining School Transitions. R. Kumar, M.H. Gheen, A. Kaplan, Goal Structures in the Learning Environment and Students' Disaffection From Learning and Schooling. K.E. Freeman, L.M. Gutman, C. Midgley, Can Achievement Goal Theory Enhance Our Understanding of the Motivation and Performance of African-American Young Adolescents? R.W. Roeser, R. Marachi, H. Gehlbach, A Goal Theory Perspective on Teachers' Professional Identities and the Contexts of Teaching. L.H. Anderman, H. Patrick, L.Z. Hruda, E.A. Linnenbrink, Observing Classroom Goal Structures to Clarify and Expand Goal Theory. M.V. Covington, Patterns of Adaptive Learning Study: Where Do We Go From Here?
Review :
"...this book is extraordinarily stimulating for both the researcher who is interested in recent developments in goal theory and for practitioners who are looking for research-based strategies to improve the school as a learning environment. It is based on an impressive research project that takes into account the multilevel structure of the school environment without ever losing its theoretical focus...There is no doubt that this book will soon become a classic reference for researchers in the field-an honour that Carol Midgley's legacy certainly deserves."
—International Journal of Behavioral Development
"...the chapters are well worth reading for what they teach us and for the questions they raise regarding future research and the implications for practice. A clear strength throughout is that the same theory-guided inquiry frames each chapter. In my view, this critical analysis is at the heart of the volume's contributions, and is of great use to researchers as a stimulus for further hypothesis generation."
—Contemporary Psychology
