Thesis advisor: George M. Barnett / There is currently a shortage of students graduating with STEM (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) degrees, particularly women and students of color. Approximately half of students who begin a STEM major eventually switch out. Many switchers cite the competitiveness, grading curves, and weed-out culture of introductory STEM classes as reasons for the switch. Variables known to influence resilience include a student's implicit theory of intelligence and achievement goal orientation. Incremental theory (belief that intelligence is malleable) and mastery goals (pursuit of increased competence) are more adaptive in challenging classroom contexts. This dissertation investigates the role that college science grading policies and messages about the importance of effort play in shaping both implicit theories and achievement goal orientation. College students (N = 425) were randomly assigned to read one of three grading scenarios: (1) a "mastery" scenario, which used criterion-referenced grading, permitted tests to be retaken, and included a strong effort message; (2) a "norm" scenario, which used norm-referenced grading (grading on the curve); or (3) an "effort" scenario, which combined a strong effort message with the norm-referenced policies. The dependent variables included implicit theories of intelligence, perceived classroom goal structure, and self-efficacy. A different sample of students (N = 15) were randomly assigned a scenario to read, asked to verbalize their thoughts, and responded to questions in a semi-structured interview. Results showed that students reading the mastery scenario were more likely to endorse an incremental theory of intelligence, perceived greater mastery goal structure, and had higher self-efficacy. The effort message had no effect on self-efficacy, implicit theory, and most of the goal structure measures. The interviews revealed that it was the retake policy in the mastery scenario and the competitive atmosphere in the norm-referenced scenarios that were likely driving the results. Competitive grading policies appear to be incompatible with mastery goals, cooperative learning, and a belief in the efficacy of effort. Implications for college STEM instruction are discussed. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2015. / Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education. / Discipline: Teacher Education, Special Education, Curriculum and Instruction.

Denna studies syfte var att undersöka vilka uppgifter i matematikämnet som elever själva valde när de gavs möjlighet. Bakgrunden till studien har sitt ursprung i en systematisk litteraturstudie med syftet att se om undervisningens utformning kan påverka elevernas motivation och attityd inför matematikämnet. Studien och resultatet bygger på semistrukturerade intervjuer med 30 elever från två olika skolor. I intervjun fick eleverna börja med att själva berätta vad de tycker om att arbeta med inom matematik. Därefter utvärderades åtta olika matematikuppgifter och eleverna fick svara på vilka de föredrog att arbeta med. Denna studie visar att eleverna själva föredrog matematikuppgifter kopplade till den inre motivationen då de känner en tilltro till sin egen förmåga när de själva gav möjlighet att välja uppgifter. De uppgifter som eleverna föredrog är de uppgifter som ligger på en elevnära, spännande och lustfylld nivå som är rätt för varje enskild individ.

Detta arbete är en systematisk litteraturstudie med syftet att ta reda på om och i så fall hur undervisningen kan påverka elevers motivation och attityd till ämnet matematik och hur undervisningen kan utformas för att eleverna ska utveckla motivation och positiv attityd till matematik. Studiens resultat baseras på 15 stycken kvalitetsgranskade artiklar som tagits fram via systematiska databassökningar. Dessa artiklar har sedan mynnat ut i olika kategorier som resultatet presenteras i med hjälp av innehållsanalys. Resultatet visar bland annat att motivation och attityd går att påverka med hjälp av lärarens förväntningar på eleven. Resultatet visar även att elevernas motivation hänger samman med vad de har för prestationsmål, achievement goal och att lärandemål är att föredra framför resultatmål.

Musical ensembles’ attendance at competitive music performance events (CMPEs) is a mainstream characteristic of the music education paradigm in many states. One problem with this current system is that we do not know the extent to which the results of these events impact the musical self-beliefs of the individual participants and those of their ensemble as a group. A total of ninety-one students and three directors from three different high school band programs in Arkansas participated in this research. The purpose of this study was to (a) examine students’ perceptions of their musical self-beliefs as related to their ensemble’s ratings at competitive music performance events (CMPEs), (b) gain clarity into how the educational ideology of the director might affect the self-efficacy beliefs of his or her students, and (c) open a dialogue into potential discovery of the sources of group efficacy beliefs in a band setting as related to individual self-efficacy beliefs. More specifically, I sought to discover students’ and directors’ perceptions of the results of CMPEs through their own words and experiences in order to offer suggestions for music educators to benefit them and their students when they participate in CMPEs. I used a holistic, multiple case study design as detailed by Yin (2014). Analysis of participant statements about their experiences at and ensemble results from CMPEs yielded a greater understanding into how these particular participants from Arkansas view CMPE results in terms of their overall musical self-beliefs. Furthermore, through the analysis of data, I was able to posit the Framework for Understanding the Formation of Group Efficacy Beliefs of High School Band Students which included three criteria: (a) Unity, (b) Cognizance of Function, and (c) Introspection. In addition to the proposed framework, findings suggest that band directors may be able to foster positive efficacy beliefs in their students and their ensembles by (a) framing the CMPE as a part of the learning process, not a means to an end; (b) encouraging students to set and pursue their own personal musical goals; (c) develop a culture within their ensemble of shared values, beliefs, and goals, awareness of each individual’s role in the performance; and (d) foster the ability for individual students to reflect and improve their own performances for the benefit of the group.

Motivation is a universal psychological phenomenon that determines all that we do. Self- determination Theory (SDT) and Achievement Goal Theory (AGT) each explain the academic motivation of university students and its relation to important academic outcomes (achievement, dedication, and well-being). Recently, an integration of these theories has been proposed (Drylund, 2009) which theorizes that achievement goals affect academic outcomes through their relationship with SDT constructs. The current study uses this integrative theory as a starting point but applies the critical realist perspective which posits that all empirical behaviours are produced by real generative mechanisms (Bhaskar, 1978). Although critical realism is considered vital to the advancement of psychology, its methodology and actual application has yet to be elaborated. Thus, the goals of the current study are: 1. to increase the current understanding of academic motivation; and, 2. to provide a method capable of facilitating research conducted from the critical realist perspective. Study 1 uses a variable-based approach and statistical analysis of questionnaire data from 385 undergraduate students; Study 2 uses a case-based approach through causal mapping of interview data from a purposeful sample of 12 Study 1 participants. Results support an academic motivational mechanism primarily influenced by autonomy satisfaction and controlling motivation that functions through the complex reciprocal relationships between achievement goals, competence satisfaction, and autonomous motivation. Comparison of Study 1 and 2 results supports the argument for case-based research from a critical realist perspective to aid in the further advancement of psychology.

Syfte och frågeställningar Syftet med studien var att undersöka hur en tränare i ett ungdomsakademilag bedrev fotbollsträning och interagerade med spelarna utifrån ett motivations- och inlärningsperspektiv. Detta ledde fram till följande frågeställningar: Utifrån Self-Determination Theory, var tränaren i sitt interagerande med spelarna övervägande autonomistödjande eller kontrollerande? Utifrån Achievement Goal Theory, var tränaren i sitt interagerande med spelarna övervägande uppgiftsorienterad eller ego-orienterad? Hur stor del av fotbollsträningen var isolerad kontra funktionell? Metod I studien deltog en tränare för ett akademilag i fotboll. Tränaren var 30 år gammal och hade en avslutad kandidatexamen i idrott samt var innehavare av UEFA Advanced Level Diploma. Tränaren videofilmades och observerades i efterhand utifrån ACT (Assessment of Coaching Tone). Omfånget var 5 träningspass och tiden i isolerade kontra funktionella övningar klockades. Resultat Tränarens interageranden var 11% Autonomy supportive, 37% Neutral och 52% Controlling. Evaluation related feedback var 22% Mastery-oriented, 32% Neutral och 46% Ego-oriented. Övningsformerna var till 95% funktionellt uppbyggda och till 5% isolerade. Slutsats Utifrån Assessment of Coaching Tone verkar tränaren i sina interageranden med spelarna vara övervägande kontrollerande samt skapa ett resultatorienterat motivationsklimat. Utifrån Self-Determination Theory och Achievement Goal Theory försvårar sannolikt dessa interageranden spelarnas möjlighet att utveckla självbestämmande motivation. Övningsformerna är i hög grad funktionella vilket sannolikt ökar chansen för att spelarna kan utveckla en perceptuell-kognitiv förmåga som krävs för att nå elitnivå.

Studiens syfte är att undersöka ifall en träningsapplikation med inslag av spelifiering och personlig tränare kan öka motivation under träning. Samtidigt undersöks vilka funktioner som önskas i följande applikation av användare. Träning är något som är otroligt viktigt för en persons hälsa vilket gör området aktuellt eftersom tanken med applikationen är att fler ska bli engagerade i träning. För att förstå vad som motiverar personer överlag men även till träning har flera olika teorier undersökts, exempelvis achievement goal theory och den transteoretiska modellen för förändring. För att ta reda på vilka funktioner som önskades av användarna genomfördes sju intervjuer. De gav ett flertal olika förslag på funktioner bland annat tips på nya övningar och visuella instruktioner. Bland annat med hjälp av insamlad data från intervjuerna utvecklades en prototyp. I prototypen har spelifiering implementerats med nivåer och märken. För att ta reda på om den framtagna prototypen kunde öka motivation under träning genomfördes ett antal användartest. I testet fick de först fylla i en enkät där de bland annat fick ange sin nuvarande inställning till träning. Deltagarna fick sedan utföra två likadana träningspass. Det första genomfördes med enbart ett papper med instruktioner till de övningar som skulle ingå. Det andra träningspasset utfördes tillsammans med prototypen. Under dessa två träningspass samlades kvantitativ data in genom Emotiv som mäter hjärnans elektriska aktivitet (EEG). Då passen var slutförda fick deltagarna ställa upp på en intervju med frågor om hur motivationen upplevdes mellan de olika passen. Resultatet från mätningen av Emotiv och intervjuerna stämde inte direkt överens. Genom att endast analysera data från Emotiv gick det inte på något sätt se att deltagarna blev mer motiverade när de fick använda prototypen. Däremot var det enligt data från intervjuerna tydligt att deltagarna kände sig mer motiverade och tyckte att det blev roligare när de fick träna med prototypen. Data från dessa intervjuer kommer ligga till grund för det slutgiltiga resultatet. Spelifiering fick även positiv respons från deltagarna under intervjun då ett par personer menade att spelelementen absolut skulle kunna bidra till ökad motivation. Samtliga deltagare under användartestet uppgav att de tränade för deras egen skull, vilket kan ses som mastery-approach goals enligt teorin achievement goal theory. Det blir dock svårt att påstå att resultatet är helt säkert eftersom deltagarna inte fick tillräckligt med tid till att interagera med prototypen. / The purpose of this study is to research whether an exercise application with a feature of gamification and personal trainer may increase motivation during exercise, as well as what features are desired in such an application. Training is something that is important for a person's well-being, thus the idea of the application is to get more people involved in physical activity. To understand what motivates people overall but also specifically to work out, several theories have been studied, such as achievement goal theory and the transtheoretical model of change. Seven interviews were conducted to find out what features were desired. They gave a variety of suggestions on features, including tips on new exercises and visual instructions. With the help of collected data from the interviews and examination of theories, a prototype was developed. In the prototype gamification has been implemented with game elements like levels and badges with the hope that gamification will help change behavior and strengthen motivation and commitment. In order to find out if the developed prototype could increase motivation during exercise, a number of user tests were conducted. In the test, they first had to fill in a questionnaire where they, among other things, had to indicate their attitude towards exercise. The participants were then asked to perform two identical workouts. The first only included a paper with instructions for the planned workout. The second workout was performed together with the prototype. During the two workouts, quantitative data was collected through Emotiv which measure the brain's electrical activity (EEG). Once the training sessions were completed, participants were asked to take part in an interview. These included questions about level of motivation, comparing one session to the other. By analyzing data from Emotiv, it was by no means possible to see that the participants became more motivated while using the prototype. However, it was clear from the interviews that participants felt more motivated and found it more fun when they were training with the prototype. Data from these interviews will form the basis for the final result. Gamification got a positive response from the participants during the interview when a couple of people thought that the game elements could definitely contribute to increased motivation. All participants during the user test stated that they were working out for their own sake, which can be seen as mastery-approach goals according to achievement goal theory. However, it is difficult to assert that the results in this study are absolutely certain as participants did not have enough time to interact with the prototype.

This dissertation examined different facets of teacher turnover in Southern Arizona by using literature from education, educational psychology, and industrial and organizational psychology. The purpose of synthesizing across research domains was to obtain a more nuanced understanding of the phenomenon. Motivation for the study reflected the teacher shortages faced on a national (Sutcher, Darling-Hammond, & Carver-Thomas, 2016) and regional level (Educator Retention and Recruitment Task Force, 2015). In order to identify potential strategies for increasing teacher retention, the dissertation project pursued three studies on this topic. Study 1 utilized data from the Schools and Staffing Survey project. Participants were matched across the 2011-2012 Teacher Questionnaire and 2012-2013 Teacher Follow-Up Survey (TFS) in order to determine whether teachers' beliefs at Time 1 varied by their occupational status at Time 2 (i.e., stayer, leaver, or mover). The study also asked whether teachers' beliefs and attitudes predicted the odds of being a stayer, mover, or leaver at Time 2. Exploratory factor analyses, analyses of variance, and logistic regressions were utilized. Results indicated that there were no differences between teacher groups; and, none of the variables predicted TFS status. Study 2 specifically examined whether teachers differentiated between organizational (school) and occupational (profession) beliefs, particularly in regards to turnover intentions. The study also examined whether specific variables differentially predicted organizational and occupational turnover intentions. The purpose was to identify specific areas that increased both types of retention. Analyses relied on confirmatory factor analyses, analyses of variance, and structural equation modeling. Results indicated that teachers’ beliefs were empirically distinct and that each type of turnover consisted of unique predictors. Study 3 emphasized perceived school goal structure, or school-level goals for teachers, teacher learning, and performance. Mastery school goal structure generally reflected goals for teacher development whereas performance goal structure reflected testing and high performance goals. Both school goal structures were examined in relation to teachers’ occupational turnover intentions, emotion, and coping. Exploratory factor analyses, correlation analyses, and hierarchical linear regression analyses were used in the study. Results indicated that there were two performance school goal structures rather than one anticipated structure: one that emphasized testing and another that emphasized social comparison for teachers. Perceived mastery school goal structure related to lower intentions to leave the profession and more productive coping. Perceived performance-testing school goal structure generally related to more negative affect and ineffective coping; neither performance goal structure related to turnover intentions. Overall, the three studies inform the literature regarding teacher beliefs, motivation, and turnover intentions. The dissertation increases our understanding of teachers' school- and work-related beliefs, and it informs what we know about teachers' turnover intentions. Furthermore, the findings encourage future research on teachers' beliefs and actual turnover, particularly within the current educational context.

The focus of this study is injured female netball players‟ motivation when they return to their sport from serious injuries. The purpose of the study is to provide a rich description of the motivation which allows these players to return to their sport and continue in their chosen field. Motivation is a vital component in injury rehabilitation, as it provides the drive that allows rehabilitation to occur. Two theories of motivation are examined in this study, namely the achievement goal theory of motivation and the theory of intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation and amotivation. These theories highlight the argument that motivation occupies a continuum between being internally or externally determined. A qualitative phenomenological perspective was used to investigate the motivation of injured netball players. This made it possible to explore individual players‟ experiences of their injury. A semi-structured interview was conducted with each player to allow each player‟s experiences to be heard. The interviews were then transcribed. Thematic content analysis of the transcribed interviews revealed two main themes: the inevitable return and identity. The analysis showed that, for these netball players, their motivation to return to playing netball was based on an internal drive to regain an inherent part of their identity. Copyright / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Psychology / unrestricted

Fysisk inaktivitet är ett välkänt globalt samhällsproblem då det är en av de största riskfaktorerna dödlighet. En stillasittande och fysiskt inaktiv livsstil ökar risken att drabbas av hjärtsjukdomar, cancer och typ 2-diabetes (WHO, 2020). Genom att träna regelbundet kan man bland annat förstärka sin muskulära styrka, öka sin respiratoriska kapacitet och förbättra sin kardiovaskulära hälsa för att därmed bli fysiskt kapabel att leva ett fysiskt aktivt liv (U.S. department of human services, 1998). För att vi ska kunna träna regelbundet och ge oss själva de fysiska förutsättningarna som behövs för att leva fysiskt aktiva livsstilar behöver vi vara motiverade till att träna regelbundet. För att vi ska vara motiverade till att träna behöver vi träna under förutsättningar som skapar och bibehåller motivationen till att vara fysiskt aktiva (Weinberg & Gould, 2014). Syftet med den här undersökningen var att jämföra motivation till fysisk aktivitet inom föreningsidrott med träningsformer utanför föreningsidrotten. Undersökningen genomfördes genom två olika metoder för datainsamling. En kvantitativ enkätundersökning kring motivationsfaktorer med utgångspunkt i variabler från enkätinstrumentet Mpam-r och Self determination theory (SDT) (Deci & Ryan, 2000). En kvalitativ intervjuundersökning kring motivationsfaktorer och målsättningsinriktning med utgångspunkt i både SDT och Achievement goal theory (AGT) (Duda & Hall, 2001). Resultatet från undersökningen visar att föreningsidrottarna motiveras mer av faktorer kopplat till SDT och en inre motivation jämfört med icke-föreningsidrottarna som motiveras mer utifrån utseende-faktorn och en yttre motivation. Föreningsidrotten är den träningsmiljö som skapar bäst förutsättningar för uppgiftsinriktade målsättningar medan träningsformer utanför föreningsidrotten tenderar att bidra till resultatinriktade målsättningar. Undersökningsgruppen som utifrån deltagarnas uppskattningar skapar och bidrar till att ha den mest långsiktigt hållbara motivationen till fysisk aktivitet är icke-föreningsidrottarna.