Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 4, 2026

Studying Food Reward and Motivation in Humans
Published on: March 19, 2014
Who are the high achievers at work? Perceived motivational climate, goal orientation profiles, and work performance
Christina G L Nerstad1, Astrid M Richardsen1, Glyn C Roberts2
1BI Norwegian Business School, Oslo, Norway.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to respond to the call for research on goal orientation (mastery and performance orientation) profiles in work contexts. Among 8,282 engineers and technologists, Latent profile analyses indicated that four different goal orientation profiles existed - primarily mastery oriented, indifferent, moderate multiple goals, and success oriented. Both success oriented employees and employees who are primarily mastery oriented indicated the highest individual work performance. Further, mastery and performance climates were found to be relevant antecedents of employees' goal orientation profiles. Supplementary analyses suggested that a primarily mastery oriented profile seems to be more beneficial for the facilitation of employee well-being. The practical implications of these findings and directions for future research are presented.
Related Concept Videos
Secondary Motives: Power Motivation and Achievement Motivation
Power motivation is characterized by the desire to influence, control, or have an impact on others. It is shaped by an individual's experiences, social environment, and cultural context. People with high power motivation are...
Global Climate Change
Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy
Secondary Motives: Affiliation Motivation and Aggression Motivation
What is Climate?
Perceiving Loudness, Pitch, and Location
Place theory, or place coding, suggests that different pitches are heard because various sound waves activate specific locations along the cochlea's basilar membrane. The brain determines the pitch of a sound by...

