Storm and Stress or Long-Lasting Drizzle? Meta-Analysis of Motivational Development in School-Aged Children

• In Event: Poster Session 17
  In Poster Session: Motivation in Education SIG Poster Session 2

Abstract

Research of motivational change during the school career indicates a variety of different developmental trends (i.e., increase, decrease, or no change). As no quantitative review or meta-analysis of motivational development is available in the literature, precise statements about the magnitude of the motivational change remains elusive. Conducting a meta-analysis of 83 independent longitudinal studies with 655 effect sizes, we found a very small overall decrease in motivation (Δ=.091) over an average duration of 1.555 years. The motivational development significantly differed by the specific motivational construct with the largest decreases in intrinsic value and mastery goal orientation. The observed decline was greater in Europe than in North America and Asia.

Authors

• Vsevolod Scherrer, University of Trier

• Franzis Preckel, University of Trier