https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5420-6133
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ABSTRACT
Education-based interventions traditionally focus on the teacher to better support pupils’ motivation. Grounded in self-determination theory, the study investigates the feasibility of a pupil-focused intervention to help pupils become more active in their search for basic psychological need satisfaction (BPNS). Focus groups and a 2-week pupil completed diary-log were administered with 22 UK secondary school pupils from Years 7 and 8 (aged 11–13 years; 45% male, 55% female) and 12 teachers (42% male, 58% female). Despite perceived value from teachers, a written diary-log appeared to be ineffective in engaging pupils. Pupil-focused initiatives may benefit from support sessions to provide guidance on pupils’ reflections, should be incorporated into normal school practices with a showcase event, and be designed in an interactive electronic format. The study offers theoretical considerations regarding pupils’ intrapsychic experience of motivation, and provides teacher and pupil insights into the practicalities of conducting pupil-focused interventions based upon BPNS.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
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Notes on contributors
Stephen R. Earl
Stephen R. Earl is a researcher, focusing on human motivation in educational settings. In particular, his research examines how young adolescents' motivation and psychological need satisfaction may influence emotional well-being, academic engagement, and school performance.
Carla Meijen
Carla Meijen is an HCPC registered sport and exercise psychologist. Her research focuses on the psychological aspects of endurance performance, with a particular focus on social-cognitive determinants.
Ian M. Taylor
Ian M. Taylor is an Associate Fellow and Chartered Psychologist of the British Psychological Society. His research concerns human motivation, with a particular focus on determinants of healthy decision-making and consequences of poor quality motivation.
Louis Passfield
Louis Passfield is an applied sports scientist. His research focuses on the physiological and psychological determinants of endurance performance, particularly in relation to elite-level cycling.