The Relationship between Goal Orientation and Problem Solving Strategy among the Hashemite University Students

Abstract

This study aimed at exploring the relationship between goals orientation and the problem solving strategy among students of the Hashemite University. It also aimed at identifying the pattern of goals adopted by those students, as well as the degree of their use of problem-solving strategies in light of the variables of gender and the college. A random sample composed of (453) male and female students completed a scale of goal orientation and a scale of problem solving strategy. The results indicated that the students had several patterns of goals, but the most common ones are mastery goals. The results also showed that males adopted performance goals whereas females adopted mastery goals. Technical college students adopted mastery goals, while scientific college students adopted performance ones, and humanitarian college students adopted avoidance goals. With regard to problem solving, the results revealed that the Hashemite University students tend to use these strategies, but males more commonly used problem-solving strategies than females. Students of technical and scientific college, more commonly used those strategies than students of humanitarian colleges. Finally, the results showed that there was a positive correlation between solving problem strategy and the mastery and the performance goals, while there was a negative correlation between those strategies and the avoidance goals. In the light of the results, the study suggested a number of recommendations.