Strive or avoid: a motivational perspective of growth and independence-oriented intentions

This paper aims at shedding light on the motivational and self-regulatory components lying at the bottom of growth and independence-oriented intentions as conceptualized by Douglas (2013). In a sample of 209 undergraduates, we administered a structured questionnaire at the beginning of an elective entrepreneurship education program. We investigated how the different types of intention are related to different approaches to achievement goal motivation (Mastery, Performance, and Avoidance approaches) and self-regulatory modes (Locomotion and Assessment). Findings show that growth-oriented and independence-oriented intentions have different motivational and self regulatory patterns of correlations. Growth intentions relate to a performance approach and locomotion. Independence intentions relate to an avoidance approach. Implications for entrepreneurship education are examined.