Presenting a Causal Model of Predicting Computer Anxiety Based on Intelligence Beliefs: The Mediatory Role of Achievement Goals and Cognitive Engagement

Background : Everything related to computer technology is supposed to be important in the present era; however, many people have negative feelings and attitudes toward working with computers. One such feeling is computer anxiety. This study purposed to present a model for predicting computer anxiety based on intelligence beliefs and focusing on achievement goals and cognitive engagement. Methods : This study was descriptive and correlational type. The study population consisted of humanities students of Shiraz Payam Noor University. Using stratified sampling, 290 (194 female and 96 male) undergraduate students of the Faculty of Humanistic Studies, Shiraz Payame Noor University were selected and assigned as the research samples. Participants were asked to complete such questionnaires as the Computer Anxiety Scale, Achievement Goals, and Intelligence Beliefs and Cognitive Engagement. Path analysis using LISREL software version 8.51 was used for data analysis. Results : The results showed that incremental intelligence beliefs had a negative indirect effect on students’ computer anxiety (-0.05), which was statistically significant at a level of 0.01 (P < 0.01). This indirect effect operates through mastery goals and deep cognitive strategies. Meanwhile, the indirect effect of entity intelligence beliefs on computer anxiety equaled 0.01 and was not statistically significant. Moreover, among the variables included in the study, mastery goals had the most indirect effect on computer anxiety; the effect was negative, equal to 0.13, and statistically significant at a level of 0.01 (P < 0.01). Direct cognitive strategies had the most direct effect on computer anxiety in the fitted model at a rate of 0.39, which was statistically significant at a level of 0.01 (P < 0.01). Conclusions : The findings of this research showed that the relationship between intelligence beliefs and computer anxiety is affected by achievement goals and cognitive engagement.