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Expectancy-Value Theory of Achievement Motivation.
Contemporary Educational Psychology
|January 6, 2000
Summary
The expectancy-value theory explains motivation by examining beliefs about success and the value of tasks. This model is crucial for understanding academic choices and performance in children and adolescents.
Area of Science:
- Educational Psychology
- Motivation Theory
Background:
- The expectancy-value theory is a prominent framework for understanding motivation.
- Key constructs include ability beliefs, expectancies for success, and subjective task values.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define and compare core constructs of the Eccles and Wigfield expectancy-value model.
- To review research on developmental changes in these constructs.
- To examine the relationship between these beliefs and student outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis and synthesis of existing research.
- Review of studies on children's and adolescents' motivational beliefs.
- Examination of correlations between beliefs, performance, and choices.
Main Results:
- Clear definitions of ability beliefs, expectancies for success, and task values are provided.
- Research indicates changes in these beliefs during development.
- Strong links exist between expectancy-value beliefs and academic performance and choices.
Conclusions:
- The expectancy-value model offers a robust explanation for motivation in academic settings.
- Understanding children's and adolescents' motivational beliefs is key to supporting their academic journeys.
- Further research can refine the model and its applications.