Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 23, 2025

Decomposing the Variance in Reading Comprehension to Reveal the Unique and Common Effects of Language and Decoding
Published on: October 11, 2018
The school-subject-specificity hypothesis: Implication in the relationship with grades
Julien Chanal1,2, Delphine Paumier1
1Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
Autonomous motivation is more specific to school subjects than controlled motivation. This specificity enhances the relationship between motivation and student grades, improving academic achievement.
Area of Science:
- Educational Psychology
- Motivation Science
Background:
- Student motivation significantly influences academic achievement.
- Previous research has explored the link between autonomous and controlled motivation and grades, but specificity remains underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of motivation specificity in the relationship between autonomous and controlled motivation and student grades.
- To test the school-subject-specificity hypothesis.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 579 junior high school students completed questionnaires assessing motivation at both academic and situational levels (French, math, English, physical education).
- Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data.
Main Results:
- Autonomous motivation demonstrated greater specificity to situational levels compared to controlled motivation.
- Increased specificity of motivation regulation was positively associated with stronger relationships to student grades.
Conclusions:
- Autonomous motivation's specificity to academic subjects is crucial for its impact on grades.
- Understanding motivation specificity offers new insights into academic self-concepts, achievement, and motivation relationships.
More Related Videos
10:26Problem-Solving Before Instruction PS-I: A Protocol for Assessment and Intervention in Students with Different Abilities
Published on: September 11, 2021
07:32Use of Galvanic Skin Responses, Salivary Biomarkers, and Self-reports to Assess Undergraduate Student Performance During a Laboratory Exam Activity
Published on: February 10, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Reliability and Validity
Correlations
Stereotype Threat and Self-fulfilling Prophecies
Theory of Attribution II: Kelley's Covariation Theory
Group Design
Fundamental Attribution Error