ERIC Number: EJ1170026
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018-Apr
Pages: 28
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0044-118X
EISSN: N/A
Differences in Study Motivation within and between Genders: An Examination by Gender Typicality among Early Adolescents
Vantieghem, Wendelien; Van Houtte, Mieke
Youth & Society, v50 n3 p377-404 Apr 2018
Despite boys' educational underachievement, gender differences in study motivation have received little research attention. Guided by self-determination theory and the identity-based motivation model, this study investigates differences in study motivation between boys and girls, as well as within each gender. To adequately consider these within-gender differences, we investigate gender and gender typicality interactions in a sample of 6,380 Flemish seventh graders collected in 2012-2013. Results from multilevel analyses show that, in line with the educational gender gap, girls display higher levels of autonomous motivation. Furthermore, gender-typical girls score highest on autonomous motivation. Gender-typical boys score considerably lower, though they outperform self-perceived atypical boys and girls. In controlled motivation, no differences are observed between boys and girls of equal ability. Nevertheless, higher scores on gender typicality contribute to a higher sense of controlled motivation. The results are discussed in light of well-being, the need for autonomy, and gendered expectations of teachers.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Gender Differences, Student Motivation, Learning Motivation, Self Determination, Identification (Psychology), Grade 7, Scores, Well Being, Personal Autonomy, Teacher Expectations of Students, Likert Scales, Measures (Individuals), Questionnaires, Ability, Mathematics Skills, Language Skills, Indo European Languages, Statistical Analysis, Hypothesis Testing, Multiple Regression Analysis
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Grade 7
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Belgium
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A