The Motivational Values of Teachers: The Influences of Social Utility, Personal Utility, and Epistemic Value

• In Event: Poster Session 13
  In Poster Session: Division C Section 2a Poster Session 1: Motivational Processes

Abstract

The current study explored the values pre-service, in-service, and former teachers use as motivation for pursuing a teaching career. Pre-service, in-service, and former teachers (N = 101) from a large Northeastern urban university were chosen to complete a survey measuring personal utility value, social utility value, and epistemic value. Data analysis was conducted using exploratory factor analysis, correlations, and ANOVA. Results indicate moderate and significant correlations among subscales; females were rated higher on the subscale desire to work with children/adolescents; and participants pursuing Early Childhood Education were rated higher on the social utility value, desire to work with children and adolescents, job transferability, and spending more time with one’s family subscales.

Authors

• Benjamin M Torsney, Temple University

• Doug Lombardi, Temple University

• Bradley C. Litchfield, Temple University

• Lauren Hassall, Temple University