Chapter 10

Motivation

An internal process that activates, guides, and maintains behavior over time. In plain language, motivation is what gets you going, keeps you going, and determines where you're trying to go.

A central assumption of attribution theory

People will attempt to maintain a positive self image.

If mindsets can be modified...

then this provides strong evidence that mindsets cause achievement, not the other way around.

Self-Actualization

According to Maslow, the ultimate psychological need that arises after basic physical and psychological needs are met and self-esteem is achieved; the motivation to fulfill one's potential

Deficiency Needs

Basic requirements for physical and psychological well-being as identified by Maslow. These needs must be satisfied, but once they are, a person's motivation to satisfy them diminishes.

Attribution for success and failure

Deals primarily with four explanations for success and failure in achievement situations: ability, effort, task difficulty, and luck.

Mindsets

Implicit assumptions about personal abilities and characteristics. The most important implication of attribution theory is that students have implicit theories to explain success or failure.

What are the three characteristics that most explain the cause for success or failure?

Internal (within the person) or external cause, seen as stable or unstable and perceived as controllable.

Why motivational value of an incentive cannot be assumed?

Motivational value might depend on many factors.

Growth Needs

Needs for knowing, appreciating, and understanding, which people try to satisfy after their basic needs are met. It is the need to know and understand things, to appreciate beauty, or to develop an appreciation of others; it can never be satisfied completely.

Locus of control

One concept central to attribution theory. The word locus means "location." A person with an internal locus of control believes that success or failure is the result of his or her own efforts or abilities.

Why is reinforcement history an inadequate explanation for motivation?

One reason is that human motivation is highly complex and context-bound.

internal locus of control (self-efficacy)

One who believes that success or failure is the result of his or her own efforts or abilities.

What determines the motivational value of any particular reward?

Students' expectations for rewards determine the motivational value of any particular reward.

Engagement and investment

Terms used to describe motivation that leads students to engage in self-regulated learning, rather than simply doing the work and following the rules.

The most important implication of expectancy theory

The commonsense proposition that tasks for students should be neither too easy nor too difficult.

Expectancy-valence model

The formula that largely depends on the person's expectations of reward.

External locus of control

The perception that chance or outside forces beyond our personal control determine our fate. Belief that other factors, such as luck, task difficulty, or other people's actions, cause success or failure.

Expectancy Theory

The theory that people will be motivated to the extent to which they believe that their efforts will lead to good performance, that good performance will be rewarded, and that they will be offered attractive rewards.

Attribution Theory

The theory that we explain someone's behavior by crediting either the situation or the person's disposition. Seeks to understand just such explanations and excuses, particularly when applied to success or failure (wherein lies the theory's greatest importance for education, in which success and failure are recurrent themes).

Feedback

Ultimately influences students' self-perceptions.