Role of Rationale Generation Trait in Uninteresting Academic Activities

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 6
  In Poster Session: Motivation in Education SIG Poster Session: Process, Methods, and Outcomes

Abstract

School learning is not always fun. The current study explored the role of the characteristics of the learners in uninteresting activities via the lens of self-determination theory. We first developed and validated the Rationale Generation Trait Scale, which includes rationale generation tendency and rationale generation quality, via a series of factor analyses. Then, we explored the relations between rationale generation trait and students’ uninteresting learning experiences. Participants who scored lower on rationale generation trait were more likely to report having uninteresting learning experiences than their peers. With structural equation modeling, we demonstrated that rationale generation trait is one learner-related factor influencing basic psychological needs, motivation, and learning outcomes. Rationale generation quality plays a more important role than rationale generation tendency.

Authors

• Cong Wang, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

• Chantal Levesque-Bristol, Purdue University