On Subject Variations in Achievement Motivations: A Study in Business Subjects |
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| Authors: | Dirk T Tempelaar Sybrand Schim van der Loeff Wim H Gijselaers and Jan F H Nijhuis |
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| Institution: | (1) Maastricht University School of Business & Economics, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands |
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| Abstract: | Student achievement motivations are crucial in learning in two ways: as a determinant and an aim of learning. In this study,
we focus on two related questions with regard to achievement motivations: to what extent are they subject-specific, and to
what extent are they malleable? Answers to both questions are especially important when aiming to influence motivations. Malleability
of motivation is studied by designing structural equation models that explain achievement motivation out of the most stable
student characteristics one can think of: gender, and personality traits. Subject matter variability is studied by estimating
these models for five main subject areas in a business program. The motivation construct we use is based on the expectancy-value
model and distinguishes four different facets: cognitive competence, difficulty, task-value and affect. We find evidence for
strong subject-specificity and considerable non-malleability of achievement motivation; part of that last aspect is a remarkably
constant over-confidence gender gap present in the data of the calibration of competency beliefs and performance in all subject
areas. |
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