ERIC Number: EJ976701
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Oct
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1041-6080
EISSN: N/A
Adults' Learning Motivation: Expectancy of Success, Value, and the Role of Affective Memories
Gorges, Julia; Kandler, Christian
Learning and Individual Differences, v22 n5 p610-617 Oct 2012
The present study tested the applicability of expectancy-value theory to adults' learning motivation. Motivation was measured as the anticipated reaction (AR) of German students (N = 300) to receiving their instructions in English as a new learning opportunity. We used structural equation modeling to test our hypotheses. Expectancies of success and values from school predicted current expectancy and value, which, in turn, accounted for about 64% of variance in AR. In addition, we explicitly tested the hitherto neglected role of affective memories as a major precursor of value, expectancy of success, and AR. Results show a small direct effect of only negative affective memories on AR, leading to a significant incremental prediction of AR in addition to expectancy and value. Thus, motivation and experiences at secondary school appear to play a crucial role in adults' learning motivation, mediated by expectancy and value specific to the learning opportunity. (Contains 2 figures and 3 tables.)
Descriptors: Structural Equation Models, Learning Motivation, Adult Learning, Foreign Countries, English (Second Language), Second Language Learning, Affective Behavior, Prediction, Secondary Education, Hypothesis Testing, Educational Experience, Role
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Adult Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Germany
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A