Publication Cover
Educational Psychology
An International Journal of Experimental Educational Psychology
Volume 35, 2015 - Issue 5
1,031
Views
16
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Articles

Motivational profiles as a combination of academic goals in higher education

, , , , &
Pages 634-650 | Received 28 Jan 2013, Accepted 19 Jun 2013, Published online: 29 Jul 2013
 

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to obtain information from students in higher education on different motivational profiles that resulted from the combination of three academic goals (i.e. learning goals (LG), performance-approach goals and performance-avoidance goals). Moreover, information related to the relevance of each goal within each motivational profile was explored to explain conditions closely related to the academic engagement. The sample consisted of 2556 students from five Spanish universities. Motivational profiles were obtained by using cluster analysis followed by a relevance analysis of each goal within each motivational profile. The results support the hypothesis concerning motivational profiles, and further suggest for motivational profiles with a predominance of LG to be more adaptive. According to our findings, high level of LG in one’s motivational profile appear to be a powerful protective factor in maintaining high interest in academic work, as well as high control beliefs and self-efficacy.

Acknowledgement

This work was supported by a grant awarded to the first author by the Consellería de Economía e Industria (Xunta de Galicia) [Council of Economics and Industry of Galicia] (10 PXIB 106 293 PR) and a grant awarded to the second author by the Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia de España [Science and Education Ministry of Spain] (EDU2010-16231).

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.