Intrinsic Motivation on Mathematics Achievement for Struggling Students
Open Access
Author:
Butler, Cameron Michael
Area of Honors:
Special Education
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Paul J Riccomini, Thesis Supervisor David Lee, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
Intrinsic Motivation Mathematics
Abstract:
This study is a look at the effect of intrinsic motivation on achievement in mathematics for struggling students. Though the effect of intrinsic motivation on achievement is well established
for standard achieving students, this study will attempt to re-evaluate this information through the lens of a shifted focus group, namely students who struggle in mathematics. By employing a curricular-based measure in mathematics and an intrinsic motivation indicator this study attempts
to link achievement to differing factors that effect intrinsic motivation. Though all results are tentative, the study has found potentially interesting results related to the shifted importance of self-competence and relatedness for struggling students and how intrinsic motivation effects
achievement. This study calls for more research on the subject and is the beginning of the conversation as to how intrinsic motivation may effect achievement differently for students who struggle in mathematics versus the traditional focus groups of standard achieving students.
