Exploration of achievement motivational patterns during adolescence using a 12- factor model across grades and sex

  • Katrina B. Simpson

Western Sydney University thesis: Doctoral thesis

Abstract

This thesis argues that a multidimensional profile incorporating mastery goals, performance goals, social goals and extrinsic goals, as well as factors relating to self-perceptions, would provide a better understanding of achievement motivation in adolescents than a univariate or dichotomous framework. Additionally this thesis also explores whether the use of lower-order dimensions provides information that offers a more detailed analysis of achievement goals over and above that found by the higher-order factors alone. A newly developed multidimensional measure, the SMOSA (Self Motivational Orientation Scale for Adolescents) of achievement motivation was used to examine changes of different motivational pursuits and perceptions of self across grades and sex in an adolescent population. The information found provides a more detailed analysis than previous research, which relied on an evaluation of means to explain differences between samples. Therefore, educators will be provided with a comprehensive understanding of the patterns of change in achievement motivation during adolescence and such knowledge may equip them with a way of measuring students' approaches to facilitative learning and the ability to explore students' paths for optimal engagement.
Date of Award2007
Original languageEnglish

Keywords

  • adolescence
  • achievement motivation
  • multidimensional scaling

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