The art of motivation: a study of teliciparatelic states, personal values and perceived stress among university students

Abstract

In the cutest study, we examined the relationship among telic/paratenic states, perceived stress and basic personal values among university students. Data was obtained through questi01maires from 300 University students of Islamabad. According to reversal theory, individuals alter between telic (serious minded) and paratenic (playful) constructs. While, perceived stress in an individual refers to the degree of stress they anticipate at a given time. The personal values are based on Schwartz theory of basic personal values and consists of ten values. To assess these variables, Telic/Paratenic State Instrument, Perceived Stress Scale and Portrait Values Questionnaire were used. The hypothesis of the study proposed that there will be significant relation among telic/paratenic and perceived stress. Furthem1ore, a significant relationship between personal values and telic/paratenic state was hypothesized, as well as a significant gender difference in telic/paratenic states. The results showed a signa ficant positive relation between selfdirection and telic/paratenic states, whereas the relation between perceived stress and telic/paratenic states is significantly negative. Whereas the gender differences were significant.