Reflections on Wittrock's Generative Model of Learning: A Motivation Perspective

Abstract

In this article, I examine developments in research on achievement motivation and comment on how those developments are reflected in Wittrock's generative model of learning. Specifically, I focus on the roles of prior knowledge, the generation of knowledge, and beliefs about ability. Examples from Wittrock's theory and from current motivational theory are used to elaborate on the parallel dimensions of these two areas of research.