Dispositional Positive and Negative Affect and Approach-Avoidance Achievement Motivation
Author(s): Jared M. Bartels
Abstract: The relationship between positive and negative temperament and approach and avoidance behavior is well established. Furthermore, research suggests that positive and negative affective tendencies correspond to distinct approach and avoidance activation systems and provides evidence of hemispheric lateralization with regard to both. The aim of the present investigation was to provide further evidence of approach-avoidance achievement-relevant temperament by examining the association between positive and negative affect intensity and approach (need for achievement) and avoidance (fear of failure) achievement motivation (controlling for self-efficacy) among a sample of 209 university students. Results indicated that negative affect intensity was predictive of fear of failure and to a lesser degree need for achievement, while positive affect intensity was not a significant predictor of either. Supplementary analysis found general-self-efficacy to partially mediate between negative affect intensity and fear of failure. Results provide further support for an association between approach-avoidance temperament and self-attributed achievement motivation.
Pages: 246-259
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