Social and academic intrinsic values: A random intercept cross-lagged panel analysis

Area of Science:

• Developmental Psychology
• Educational Psychology
• Adolescent Motivation

Background:

• Adolescence is a critical period for developing social and academic motivation.
• The interplay between social and academic intrinsic values requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To longitudinally examine the relationship between social and academic intrinsic values in adolescents.
• To clarify the directionality of influence between these two value domains.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a nationally representative dataset of 7,324 South Korean students from fifth to 12th grade.
• Employed a random intercept cross-lagged model to analyze reciprocal relations over time.

Main Results:

• A strong, positive association was found between social and academic intrinsic values at the between-individual level.
• Reciprocal effects were significant from fifth to sixth grade and eighth to 11th grade.
• Previous academic intrinsic values consistently predicted subsequent social intrinsic values across all grades.

Conclusions:

• Social and academic intrinsic values are positively associated and often develop concurrently in adolescents.
• Reciprocal influences are prominent in early and late adolescence, but diminish in middle school.
• Findings underscore the importance of considering developmental trajectories in understanding adolescent motivation.