“I Wanna Be the Very Best Like No One Ever Was” in Every Situation: Developing and Validating Achievement Motivation SJTs Across Contexts

Abstract

Achievement motivation, a key predictor of performance across life domains, has traditionally been studied through fragmented theoretical frameworks and self-report measures that neglect contextual nuance. This thesis proposes a comprehensive, multidimensional model of achievement motivation, operationalized through situational judgment tests (SJTs) that systematically manipulate context. five SJT scales were developed: three measuring goal orientation (mastery-approach, performance-approach, and performance-avoidance) across work, school, and fitness contexts, and two measuring mental toughness (task persistence, emotional control, and utilization of feedback) in school and fitness contexts, with an existing validated SJT used for work. Using exploratory factor analysis (EFA), the study found support for context-sensitive structures of both constructs. Correlational analyses indicated moderate convergence with existing self-report measures and inter-contextual consistency, suggesting that achievement motivation is partially trait-like but also significantly influenced by context. The findings support a chronic preference model and highlight the value of ecologically valid assessments for capturing the dynamic nature of motivation.