Final answer:
The correct answer is option c) Be defensive and avoid challenging situations.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to achievement motivation theory, an individual demonstrating a fear of failure is likely to exhibit certain behaviors and attitudes when faced with challenging situations. In this context, such a person is most likely to:
- Be defensive and avoid challenging situations
This is because people with a significant fear of failure usually have low self-efficacy and often doubt their capabilities to succeed, which can lead to avoiding challenging tasks to prevent potential failure. On the other hand, high self-efficacy is linked to embracing challenges and having strong intrinsic motivation, a characteristic of individuals who believe in their capabilities to achieve their goals and who see setbacks as learning opportunities.
In the educational scenario presented, a student's sense of belonging, respect, and control over their learning contributes to their intrinsic motivation, influencing their likelihood to engage and persist in the face of challenges. However, the question inquires about a fear of failure, which is associated with defensively avoiding challenges rather than embracing them or being motivated by the joy of the task itself (intrinsic motivation).