Abstract: The present study manipulated subjects' mastery goal and performance goal through different statements of the purpose of the study, and investigated the effect of achievement goals on task engagement at different stages of the game. 71 middle school students participated in the study. Results showed that before and during the game, two groups had no significant difference in task engagement in the experimental game; but performance-oriented subjects expended less amount of time on the unfinished experimental game than the mastery group after the game. Results also showed that Ss in the performance group felt less enjoyment during the game, and had less interest in the game after the experiment.

Key words: achievement goals, mastery goals, performance goals, task engagement