Goal Orientations and Self-regulating of College Students in Mashhad City: the role of tasks and gender

The aim of this research was to study the role of academic tasks’ nature and gender on goal orientations and self-regulations of college students in Mashhad city and relationship between these variables. Statistical population was all undergraduate students of Ferdowsi University and Islamic Azad University of Mashhad in academic year 1388-1389. Research sample was consisted of 400 students of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad and 400 students of Islamic Azad University that were selected on the basis of multistage cluster sampling. Research method was descriptive. Research results showed that there were positive and significant correlation between components of achievement goals and self-regulation. In addition, results demonstrated that there was a significant difference among academic sub-groups concerning self-regulation. Results showed human sciences students used self-regulating method more than students in basic and engineering sciences. Also, basic students used self-regulating method more than engineering students, but there was not a significant difference between male and female students. Humanity students were more master and avoidant than two other groups. Altogether, females were more goals oriented than males.