Academic motivation and performance as a function of cognitive factors
No Thumbnail Available
Authors
Moore, Caryl
Issue Date
1998-12
Type
Dissertation
Language
Dissertation
en
en
Keywords
Academic motivation , Academic performance , Achievement locus of control , Cross-cultural , Attributions , Expectancies , Self determination , Intrinsic motivation , Extrinsic motivation , Amotivation , Ability perceptions
Alternative Title
Abstract
Existing scales were modified and factor-analysed through "prepilof' and pilot studies for
exploring relations between academic motivation, achievement, and cognitive factors such as locus
of control (LOC), attributions, perceived self-determination and ability.
Distinct, conceptually meaningful factors emerged.
Thirty-seven hypotheses were tested on Unisa students. Among notable findings were:
• Internal LOC related to academic motivation, but treating LOC as a set of distinct factors
rather than a bipolar dimension offered more insights (e.g. "Impotence" rather than other external
LOC factors related negatively to
· achievement).
• Little was gained from categorising attributions according to Weiner's dimensions.
• Intrinsic motivation and "identified regulation" related positively to motivation.
• Students' (especially unsuccessful students') expectations of success and perceptions of their
ability were over-estimated.
• Different factors related to motivation and achievement in different cultural groups.
• Although motivation and achievement are usually positively related, this did not apply to
disadvantaged groups.
Description
Citation
Moore, Caryl (1998) Academic motivation and performance as a function of cognitive factors, University of South Africa, Pretoria, <http://hdl.handle.net/10500/17509>