Välttämisorientaatioita

Välttämisorientaatioita, often translated as avoidance orientations or avoidance goals, refers to a motivational concept in psychology. It describes the tendency of individuals to direct their efforts towards preventing or escaping negative outcomes, failures, or undesirable situations, rather than towards achieving positive goals.

There are several subtypes of avoidance orientations. Performance avoidance refers to the desire to avoid appearing incompetent or failing in front of others. For instance, a student with high performance avoidance might avoid participating in class discussions for fear of saying something wrong. Learning avoidance, on the other hand, is the tendency to shy away from challenging tasks or new learning experiences that might expose one's lack of knowledge or skills. Social avoidance can manifest as a desire to avoid negative social evaluations or rejection.

These orientations are often contrasted with approach orientations, which focus on moving towards positive outcomes or desired achievements. While avoidance can sometimes serve a protective function, for example, by helping individuals avoid danger, a strong reliance on avoidance orientations can hinder personal growth, achievement, and overall well-being. It can lead to procrastination, reduced effort, and a general reluctance to engage in activities that carry even a small risk of failure. Understanding välttämisorientaatioita is important in various fields, including education, clinical psychology, and organizational behavior, as it can inform strategies for fostering motivation and promoting healthier goal pursuit.