Motivation in learning

Question 1

Motivation

Answer 1

the process that activate, direct, and sustain thoughts, feelings and actions.

Question 2

motivated students

Answer 2

exert more effort, persist longer, learn more, and perform better academically

Question 3

Trait motivation

Answer 3

enduring, stable across situations

Question 4

State motivation

Answer 4

temporary, context-dependent

Question 5

Intrinsic motivation

Answer 5

internal drive to perform tasks for their inherent satisfaction (enjoyment, curiosity)

Question 6

extrinsic motivation

Answer 6

external activities (rewards, punishment)

Question 7

developmental trends

Answer 7

both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation decline as students progress to higher grades, often due to decreased perceptions of autonomy and increasingly performance-oriented classrooms

Question 8

anxiety

Answer 8

feelings of tension and uneasiness, often tied to arousal

Question 9

arousal

Answer 9

overall alertness and activation; moderate levels enhance performance (Yerkes-Dodson Law)

Question 10

Yerkes-Dodson law

Answer 10

describes the relationship between arousal (stress or mental alertness) and performance. It suggests that performance improves with increased arousal, but only up to a certain point. Beyond that optimal level of arousal, performance tends to decline.

Question 11

affect

Answer 11

emotional states, which interact bidirectionally with academic achievements

Question 12

interests

Answer 12

a motivational variable closely linked to intrinsic motivation, characterized by focused attention and engagement

Question 13

behavioral explanations

Answer 13

motivation is a product of reinforcement. focuses on extrinsic motivators such as rewards and punishments

Question 14

social cognitive explanations

Answer 14

emphasizes self-regulation, self-efficacy, and human agency

Question 15

humanistic explanations

Answer 15

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: motivation arises from satisfying needs, progressing from basic physiological needs to self-actualization.
Self-determination theory

Question 16

self-determination theory (humanistic explanation)

Answer 16

1. competence: mastery over task
2. autonomy: control over actions and choices
3. relatedness: emotional connections with others

Question 17

cognitive explanations

Answer 17

includes theories like: attribution theory: explains motivation based on perceived causes of success or failure
goal theories: focus on achievement and competence goals
achievement theories: examine the drive for success versus the avoidance of failure
expectancy-value theories: motivation depends on the value of the task and the belief in succeeding

Question 18

over-justification effect

Answer 18

extrinsic rewards can reduce intrinsic motivation if not applied thoughtfully

Question 19

effective use of rewards

Answer 19

• contingent on performance quality, not mere participation
• focused on competence recognition
• social (e.g. praise) rather than material

Question 20

enhancing self-efficacy

Answer 20

1. encourage goal setting (specific, proximal, appropriately challenging)
2. teach learning strategies like summarizing or outlining
3. provide constructive feedback with clear improvement pathways
4. use relatable role models and examples of perseverance

Question 21

fostering interest and curiosity

Answer 21

• use hands-on experiences and problem-based learning
• challenge students’ existing knowledge to stimulate curiosity
• design tasks that encourage active engagement and exploration

Question 22

approach success

Answer 22

students with high achievement motivation prefer moderate-risk tasks and mastery-oriented goals

Question 23

avoid failure

Answer 23

students with low motivation choose either very easy or very difficult tasks to avoid personal responsibility for failure

Question 24

fixed mindset

Answer 24

belief that abilities are static

Question 25

growth mindset

Answer 25

belief that abilities can develop with effort

Question 26

socioeconomic factors

Answer 26

students from lower SES backgrounds benefit more from growth mindset interverntions

Question 27

motivation strengths

Answer 27

• addresses a broad range of internal and external motivational factors
• incorporates both short-term and long-term motivational processes
• emphasizes the role of emotions and personal beliefs in driving behavior

Question 28

motivation limitations

Answer 28

• over-reliance on extrinsic rewards can undermine intrinsic motivation
• application of some theories (e.g. Maslow’s hierarchy) can be overly idealistic in diverse educational settings