Motivation to Learn: Integrating Theory and Practice

Stipek, D. (2002). Motivation to Learn: Integrating Theory and Practice. Allyn and Bacon: Boston. Chapter 1, Profiles of Motivation Problems.

In this article there are five different students with five different types of motivational problems. Defensive Dick, has poor performance and puts off doing any kind of work so that others don't see that he doesn't know how to do the work. He is self-defeating. He is likely to cheat and during a test takes the time to sharpen his pencil, pick up an eraser and draw on his paper. Hopeless Hannah, has convinced herself that she cannot do the work before she has even tried it. She doesn't ask questions because she doesn't expect to understand the material. One day this type of student may become the class clown or bully or tease. As they approach adolescence, they may engage in more serious antisocial behavior to gain respect. Safe Sally, has done nothing but take classes that she knew she could get A's in. She has never challenged herself and dropped out of classes once she earned a "bad grade" in it. She lacks self-confidence in her academic skills. Satisfied Sam, he knows that he is smart but doesn't like to show it off and doesn't feel like he has to prove it. If he is interested in the subject he is more likely to get involved, otherwise he just is happy with staying out of trouble and passing by with his C+. Anxious Amy, has a hard time performing in the classroom. She can do the homework at home and get the majority of the questions correct but when she is taking a test she turns it in with half the test not filled in.

Something that I was thinking about was when Amy is when she is taking a test to put her out in the hallway so she doesn't feel so nervous or rushed when other students start turning their tests in. I know when I take tests and other students start to turn their tests in I feel that I should be turning my test in to so I start to rush the rest of my work. When I would rush I would get those last few questions wrong or not even do them because I couldn't think clear enough because I was all flustered with being nervous that I wasn't going to finish or be the last to finish but there is nothing wrong with that.