Underpinnings of Expectancies of Success in Mathematics: An Analysis of Key Motivation Antecedents

• In Event: Poster Session 1
  In Poster Session: Motivation in Education SIG Poster Session 1

Abstract

This research aims to expand the nomological network of secondary-school students’ expectancies of success in mathematics. To this end, it used the expectancy-value framework to examine three key classes of motivation antecedents of expectancy: (1) General motivation predispositions; (2) School-related achievement motives; and (3) Domain-specific reasons undergirding motivation to study mathematics. The results of Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (N=5732) show that studying to fulfill one’s aspirations and having a motivation outlook prioritizing advancement and gains (i.e., a promotion focus) were the strongest predictors of expectancies of success across all samples examined. In contrast, the other motivation predispositions, school-related achievement motives, and controlled reasons for studying mathematics had smaller or non-significant relationships with the criterion.

Author

• Flaviu A. Hodis, Victoria University of Wellington