Goal orientation and task demand effects on motivation, affect, and performance

Two studies tested the joint effects of goal orientation and task demands o n motivation, affect, and performance, examining different factors affectin g task demands. In Study 1 (N = 199), task difficulty was found to moderate the effect of goal orientation on performance and affect (i.e., satisfacti on with performance). In Study 2 (N = 189), task consistency was found to m oderate the effect of goal orientation on self-efficacy and intrinsic motiv ation. Results are discussed in relation to self-regulatory processes cued by goal orientations, attentional resource demands, and the need to match g oal orientations to the nature of the task.