Poster #22 - Motivation's Unique Contribution to the Development of Academic Achievement

• In Event: 31.094 - MTCC Poster Session Six
  In Poster Session: 31.094-6 - Relation of Beliefs, Goals, Emotions, and Educational Interventions to Academic Outcomes

Abstract

Despite the emphasis on student motivation in educational research it is still a subject of debate whether or not motivation contributes uniquely to the prediction of achievement when general cognitive ability and prior achievement are controlled for. We put the assumption of motivation’s unique contribution to a rigorous test, incorporating data on seven independent samples from large-scales studies with repeated measurement and both grades and test scores as achievement indicators. Domain-specific self-concept of ability showed an almost consistent positive effect; as in prior research, evidence for a unique contribution of interest was less strong. Prior achievement was the strongest predictor of both achievement indicators, but our analyses demonstrated that motivation’s unique contribution to achievement is more than a popular myth.

Authors

• Kerstin Schütte, Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education (IPN)

• Steffani Sass, IPN - Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education