Autonomous goals enhance (as compared to controlled goals):
- deep-level processing
- test-performance
- persistence

Academic effects of goal motivation (controlled or autonomous)

Controlled motivation occurs when a person pursues a goal because of external demands, anticipated rewards or punishments, or internal pressure such as guilt or pride. For example, a person might take a summer job because their parents instructed them to do so.

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

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It is the reason why an individual sets a goal. Whether the goal is (Deci & Ryan, 2000):
- autonomous

or
- controlled

Goal motive 

Tend to be paired with intrinsic goals. It when the reason for setting/working towards a goal was derived internally, that is you set them yourself (e.g working a summer job because you know you could use the money for college)

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