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Two studies examined associations between college students' help seeking and perceptions of their classes' achievement goal structure. Study 1 established that students' help seeking (N ϭ 883 in 6 chemistry classes) could be parsimoniously described by distinct approach (intentions to seek autonomous help from teachers) and avoidance patterns (threat, avoidance intentions, seeking expedient help). In Study 2, after controlling for students' personal achievement goal orientations (N ϭ 852 in 13 psychology classes), within-class differences in perceived class emphasis on mastery positively predicted help-seeking approach and negatively predicted help-seeking avoidance patterns, whereas perceived class emphasis on performance-avoid goals positively predicted help-seeking avoidance. Students in classes with greater perceived emphasis on performance-avoid goals had higher levels of help-seeking avoidance patterns. Results complement previous research on help seeking and achievement goals with younger learners and provide support for the role of classroom achievement goal structure in student motivation and performance.

Correlates of help-seeking among college students were examined. In the first study (N = 612), college students' help-seeking tendencies, given the prospect of poor performance, were (a) directly related to their rated likelihood of engaging in instrumental achievement activities, (b) directly related to persistent global self-esteem, and (c) inversely related to students' perceptions that seeking help is threatening. In Study 2 (A r = 541), help seeking was directly related to the use of cognitive, metacognitive, and resource management learning strategies. Study 3(N = 386) replicated the results of Study 2 and also found that correlations between help seeking and learning strategy use were unchanged when controlling for individual differences in the perceived threat to self-esteem posed by help seeking. Evidence from all three studies is consistent with viewing help seeking in an academic context as an achievement-related rather than as a dependent behavior.

Three studies were conducted to develop and validate scores on a new measure appropriate for assessing adolescents’ situational interest (SI) across various academic settings. In Study 1 ( n = 858), a self-report questionnaire was administered to undergraduates in introductory psychology. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) supported a three-factor model that differentiated between interest generated by (a) the presentation of course material that grabbed students’ attention (triggered-SI), (b) the extent to which the material itself was enjoyable and engaging (maintained-SI-feeling), and (c) whether the material was viewed as important and valuable (maintained-SI-value). CFA analyses in Study 2 ( n = 284) and Study 3 ( n = 246) also supported the three-factor situational interest model for middle and high school students in mathematics. Moreover, situational interest was shown to be distinct from individual interest and was a statistically significant predictor of change in individual interest across the school year.

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