Black Women in STEM: Identities and Motivation (Poster 18)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Sunday 8:00 a.m.
  In Poster Session: CERECG SIG Poster Session: Race, Ethnicity, and Gender Issues in Education

Abstract

For decades, researchers have promoted the development of intrinsic motivation as a method to address the participation, retention, and success of individuals underrepresented in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). However, there is very limited research on Black women in STEM that have focused on the unique motivation orientations that impact their academic success and career decisions. The findings from the current explanatory sequential research study demonstrate that an extrinsic motivation orientation influences academic achievement and career decisions for Black women STEM students. These results challenge current theoretical assumptions and illuminate the nature of motivational processes for Black women, providing insight into educational practices that may serve the target group.

Author

• Inez Moore, California State University - Fullerton