Motivational Profiles in High School: A Person-Centered Approach and Examination of Contextual Predictors of Change

• In Event: Poster Session 6
  In Poster Session: Learning and Motivation in Social and Cultural Contexts Poster Session 1

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate stability and change in high school students’ motivational profiles across the course of an academic year and examine potential aspects of the classroom context that predict that stability or change. Motivational profiles were developed using a person-centered cluster analysis approach. Constructs from both expectancy-value and achievement goal theory were included in the development of clusters at two points in time. Contextual factors of students' perceptions of their teachers and learning environment were examined as predictors of changes in motivational profiles. Students who adopted less adaptive motivational profiles during the academic year perceived lower levels of classroom mastery goal structures and lower levels of teacher interest and caring.

Authors

• Angela D. Miller, George Mason University

• Tamera B. Murdock, University of Missouri - Kansas City