Page 1 Running head: Hierarchical Model of Achievement Motivation Fear of Failure, 2 x 2 Achievement Goal and Self-handicapping: An Examination of the Hierarchical Model of Achievement Motivation in Physical Education

In this study, the hierarchical model of achievement motivation (Elliot, 1997) is used to investigate the motivational mechanism behind the relationship between fear of failure and selfhandicapping adoption. A cross-sectional design was employed. The participants were 691 college students enrolled in physical education in Taiwan. Students completed the Performance Failure Appraisal Inventory (PEAI-S, Conroy, Willow, & Metzler, 2002), the Chinese 2 x 2 Achievement Goal Questionnaire for Physical Education (CAGQ-PE, Chen, 2007) and the SelfHandicapping Scale (SHS; Wu, Wang., & Lin, 2004). Structural equation modeling was conducted. Generally, the results showed that mastery avoidance and performance avoidance goals partially mediated the relationship between fear of failure and self-handicapping. The results are discussed in terms of the hierarchical model of achievement motivation, and its implications for physical education are also highlighted.