The Role of Satisfying Basic Psychological Needs in Student's Goal Orientations

The aim of this study was to investigate relationships between satisfying the basic psychological needs and achievement goal orientations in high school students. 298 students (142 boys and 156 girls) were selected by multi stage cluster sampling and they filled out the general version of the Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction Scale (Gagné, 2003), and the Achievement Goal Questionnaire (Elliot & -McGregor, 2001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that satisfying the need of autonomy predicts mastery-approach and performance-avoidance goal orientations. Also, results showed satisfying the need of competency predict mastery-avoidance and performance-avoidance goal orientations. In addition to, satisfying the need of relatedness predicts masteryapproach goal orientation.