Resumen de Beyond the Big Five: The mediating role of goal orientation in the relationship between core self-evaluations and academic performance

Bart J. Debicki, Franz W. Kellermanns, Tim Barnett, Allison W. Pearson, Rodney A. Pearson

• In this paper, we investigate the impact of core self-evaluations on academic performance.

  We also test several hypotheses that describe a potential mediating effect of three types of goal orientation on the above relationship. The model developed in this paper is statisti- cally tested on a sample of 307 college students. The results indicate that students who perceive themselves as competent, capable and worthy of success (i.e. demonstrating positive core self-evaluations) achieve superior academic performance. Furthermore, the avoid performance type of goal orientation partially mediates the relationship between core self-evaluations and academic performance.

  Prove performance goal orientation is associated with better academic performance, but is not influenced by core self-evaluations.

  Learning goal orientation, which is characteristic of individuals exhibiting an intrinsic desire to improve their competence, does not have a significant impact on academic performance. The main contribution of this study lies in showing the positive impact of high core self-evaluations on academic performance and investigating the mechanism through which this relationship develops, namely the mediating effects of goal orientation.