66.069 - Motivation and Complexity: The Merits of a Dynamic Systems Approach to Theory and Research on Motivation in Education

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

Psychological phenomena such as motivation are complex, dynamic, non-linear, contextualized, and irreducible to their components. This recognition has prompted recent calls to apply the complex dynamic systems approach to motivation theory and research (Kaplan, Katz & Flum, 2012a). However, there are only scant examples of such applications. Moreover, the merits of the dynamic systems approach to motivation in education have not been thoroughly debated. The proposed symposium will introduce the tenets of the dynamic systems approach to motivation, present examples of research applying the approach to motivational phenomena in education, and provide an opportunity for a critical debate on the potential merits and limitations of the dynamic systems approach to conceptualizing, investigating, and intervening in motivational phenomena in educational settings.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Motivation in Education

Chair

• Avi Kaplan, Temple University

Papers

• Conceptualizing Motivation as a Dynamic System - Avi Kaplan, Temple University

• Teacher Role-Identity and Motivation as a Dynamic System - Avi Kaplan, Temple University; Joanna K. Garner, Old Dominion University; Sarit Semo

• Using Agent-Based Modeling to Gain Insight Into Interest Development - William R. Penuel, University of Colorado - Boulder; John Falk, Oregon State University; Lynn Diane Dierking, Oregon State University; Matthew Hendrey; Joey Harrison; Nancy Staus, Oregon State University

• Using a Dynamic Systems Approach to Measure Changes in Teacher–Student Interactions - Julianne C. Turner, University of Notre Dame; Andrea Lynn Christensen, University of Notre Dame

Discussants

• Chris S. Hulleman, University of Virginia

• Ellen L. Usher, University of Kentucky