The impact of fear of losing out (FoLO) on college students’ performance goal orientations and learning strategies inSingapore

• Main Authors: CHOI, Haelim, CHENG, Chi-ying, WEE, Sheila Xi Rui
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2022
• Subjects: Fear of Losing Out (FoLO); Kiasu; Singapore; Performance Goal Orientation; Learning Strategy; Asian Studies; Organizational Behavior and Theory; Strategic Management Policy
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/3647; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/soss_research/article/4905/viewcontent/SPE_FoLO_and_goal_orientations.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

The current research investigated the influence of the Fear of Losing Out (FoLO) mindset on learning strategy via performance goal orientation and its interaction with social comparison amongst Singaporean college students. In Study 1, a positive relationship between FoLO and performance goal orientations (i.e., avoidance and approach) was found. Study 2 replicated this finding and further revealed a downstream effect of FoLO on surface learning via performance goal orientations. In addition, social comparison moderated the link between performance goal orientation and surface learning in the mediation model. Specifically, in downward social comparison conditions, FoLO facilitated high performance-avoidance goal orientation, which in turn led to higher surface learning. Comparatively, in upward social comparison conditions, FoLO incited high performance-approach goal orientation, which in turn led to lower surface learning. Taken together, the findings yield significant theoretical and practical implications of FoLO on college students’ goal orientations and learning outcomes.