PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY BULLETIN Elliot et al. / COMPETENCE VALUATION Competence Valuation as a Strategic Intrinsic Motivation Process

This research investigated the strategic use of competence valua-tion in achievement settings and examined the consequences of implementing this self-enhancement strategy for intrinsic moti-vation. In two studies, participants reported higher competence valuation following positive feedback; in turn, competence valu-ation was positively related to intrinsic motivation. Competence valuation mediated the direct relationship between feedback and intrinsic motivation, and this mediation was independent of perceived competence, which also served a mediational function. Study 2 identified the specific nature of the observed effects. Par-ticipants receiving positive feedback reported higher competence valuation (and perceived competence), which led to enhanced intrinsic motivation; the reciprocal processes were not operative for those receiving negative feedback. Intrinsic motivation may be defined as interest in o