ABSTRACT
The self-worth theory of achievement motivation (Covington, 1984a, 1984b; Covington & Beery, 1976) is based on the assumption that self-worth depends largely on one's ability to achieve competitively. This emphasis is linked to a tendency in society to equate an ability to achieve competitively with human value (Gardner, 1961). Covington, Spratt and Omelich (1980) therefore observe that perceptions of inability are to be avoided due to society's tendency to equate personal worth with the ability to achieve competitively.
