College students’ motivational beliefs and use of goal-oriented control strategies : Integrating two theories of motivated behavior

Journal article


von Keyserlingk, Luise, Rubach, Charlott, Lee, Hye Rin, Eccles, Jacquelynne S. and Heckhausen, Jutta. (2022). College students’ motivational beliefs and use of goal-oriented control strategies : Integrating two theories of motivated behavior. Motivation and Emotion. 46(5), pp. 601-620. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-022-09957-y
Authorsvon Keyserlingk, Luise, Rubach, Charlott, Lee, Hye Rin, Eccles, Jacquelynne S. and Heckhausen, Jutta
Abstract

In college, students often encounter situations in which they struggle to meet their academic goals in difficult courses. We integrate the Motivational Theory of Life-Span Development and Situated Expectancy-Value Theory to investigate how motivational beliefs and experiences in a difficult course predict the use of goal engagement oriented and goal adjustment oriented control strategies that can help students stay engaged in challenging courses. We used survey data collected in two academic quarters at a public university in the U.S. (N = 231). Students who perceived their midterm exam as more difficult than expected and students with higher course-specific subjective task values reported using more goal engagement oriented and goal adjustment oriented control strategies. Students with higher course-specific ability beliefs were less likely to use goal adjustment strategies. Results further showed that students planned to use control strategies depending on their experienced setbacks or success in exams. Findings provide important insights into how motivational orientations and course experiences relate to adaptive and goal-oriented behavior in college courses.

Keywordssituated expectancy-value theory (SEVT); motivational theory of life-span development (MTD); goal-engagement strategies; goal adjustment strategies; higher education
Year2022
JournalMotivation and Emotion
Journal citation46 (5), pp. 601-620
PublisherSpringer
ISSN0146-7239
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-022-09957-y
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85134495770
Open accessPublished as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
Page range601-620
Publisher's version
License
File Access Level
Open
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online19 Jul 2022
Publication process dates
Accepted28 May 2022
Deposited17 Aug 2023
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