Challenging assignments and activating mood: the influence of goal orientation

We examined the impact of induced goal orientation on individuals' positive- and negative-activating mood when taking part in high- or low-challenging assignments. Results indicated that performing a low-challenging assignment leads to a higher positive-activating mood with a performance-approach orientation than with a mastery approach, or no goal orientation. In contrast, conducting a high-challenging assignment leads to a higher positive-activating mood with a mastery approach than with a performance approach, or no goal orientation. These findings suggest that high-challenging assignments are best instructed with a focus on learning whereas low-challenging assignments are best instructed with a focus on superior performance.