Two experiments tested central assumptions of the self-worth theory of achievement motivation. This theory states that certain students, known as self-worth protective students, will voluntarily withdraw effort in achievement situations in which poor performance is likely to be attributed to low ability. Thereby, a sense of self-worth is protected. Self-worth theory also states that these students will perform well in situations in which a mitigating excuse allows poor performance to be attributed to a factor that is unrelated to ability. Experiment 1 confirmed that self-worth protective students perform well following failure that allows a face-saving opportunity but perform poorly following failure that does not allow face-saving. The results of Experiment 2 confirmed that the poor performance of self-worth protective students following failure is associated with a lesser tendency to assume personal responsibility for failure. These findings are discussed in terms of strategies for modifying the achievement-limiting behaviors of self-worth protective students.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Research Division:	Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
Research Group:	Psychology
Research Field:	Sensory Processes, Perception and Performance
Objective Division:	Expanding Knowledge
Objective Group:	Expanding Knowledge
Objective Field:	Expanding Knowledge through Studies of Human Society
Author:	Thompson, T (Dr Ted Thompson)
Author:	Davidson, JA (Dr John Davidson)
ID Code:	6064
Year Published:	1995
Web of Science® Times Cited:	41
Deposited By:	Psychology
Deposited On:	1995-08-01
Last Modified:	2011-08-25
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