Learning Achievement Goals and Personality Orientation in the Structure of Learning Motivation of Adolescents

Abstract

Learning motivation is a complex structure, which includes not only motives, but also other components. Today, more and more researchers are studying the constructs included in the structure of learning motivation. The paper presents results of a study (N=342) aimed at exploration of the educational achievement goals (3x2 model of Elliot’s achievement goal theory) and personality orientation (L.I. Bozhovich conception) and their connection with learning motivation of older adolescents. The sample consists of school students (N=175) and college students (N=167), 140 males and 202 females. 3x2 Achievement Goal Questionnaire, Bass Orientation Inventory and Academic Motivation Scale for Schoolchildren are used. According to the results obtained the learning achievement goals and personality orientation are connected with other constructs of educational motivation of older adolescents. The desire to learn with pleasure, solve difficult tasks and to develop is most characteristic of students with task-based personality orientation. Amotivation, the desire to perform better than others, achieve respect from parents is mostly characteristic of students with self-based orientation. Interaction orientation has negative correlation with motivation for achievement, for self-development and with task-approach goals, task-avoidance goals, other-approach goals, other-avoidance goals. College students demonstrate higher learning motivation, achievement motivation and self-development motivation compering to school students. Males demonstrate higher level of amotivation than females.