Expectancy-value theory of achievement motivation: A developmental perspective

I consider Eccles et al.'s (1983) expectancy-value model of achievement performance and choice from a developmental perspective, by examining how recent research on the development of young children's competence beliefs, expectancies for success, subjective task values, and achievement goals can be incorporated into the model. The kinds of change in children's achievement beliefs considered include change in the factor structure of children's competence beliefs and values; change across age in the mean level of those constructs; and change in children's conceptions of ability beliefs and subjective values. I also discuss how achievement goals are conceptualized in this model, and how goals are conceived by other current motivation researchers. Changes in the nature of relations among competence beliefs, subjective task values, achievement goals, and achievement behaviors also are considered.     

The impact of remembered success experiences on expectancies,values, and perceived costs

The “remembered success effect” (Finn, 2010) refers to the finding that challenging academic tasks that start or end with extra opportunities for success are often preferred to challenging tasks that do not include these opportunities. Research on the remembered success effect has identified some memory processes that are thought to give rise to the effect. To date there has been no research on how experiences of remembered success relate to motivational constructs that may be associated with the effect. Accordingly, we examined how challenging math experiences designed to induce remembered success impacted individuals’ expectancies for success, positive task value and perceived costs, and how these motivational constructs related to two future task choices; expectancy-value theory posits that expectancies and task values are the most direct motivational predictors of choice. In two studies, participants completed two challenging math tasks under two conditions: a short task of all difficult problems and a longer, “extended” task that had the same number of difficult problems plus a set of moderately difficult problems. Results demonstrated that expectancies and subjective task value were higher, and perceived costs lower in the “extended” condition than in the short condition. In both experiments, the between-task difference scores (i.e., extended task minus short task) for positive task values, expectancies, and perceived costs were significantly correlated with both task choices. Notably, the positive task value difference score uniquely predicted at least one of the two choices in both experiments. Costs and expectancies were less consistent unique predictors of choice: the between-task difference in perceived costs predicted one choice in Experiment 1, but neither choice Experiment 2, and the difference in expectancies only predicted the choices in Experiment 2.     

Introducing the DYNAMICS framework of moment-to-moment development in achievement motivation

This article introduces a new theoretical and psychometric framework describing moment-to-moment development and inter-dependencies of achievement motivation in terms of the situated expectancy-value theory, by introducing dynamical systems concepts into this line of research. As a first empirical example of a study using this framework, we examined whether task values, costs, and success expectancies measured in a learning situation (time point t) predicted themselves and each other at the next situation (t + 1; 27 min later) within a weekly university lecture.Situational task values, expectancies, and costs were assessed using the experience sampling method in 155 university teacher training students during weekly lectures for one semester, with three surveys during each weekly lesson. Data were analyzed with multilevel cross-lagged structural equation models.There were significant auto-regressions from one learning situation to the next in success expectancies and effort costs, but not in intrinsic, utility, or attainment value nor emotional or opportunity costs. There were no significant cross-lagged effects from one situation to the next in any of the measured situated expectancy-value components.As a framework to integrate dynamical systems concepts into the research on situated learning motivation, we expect the proposed DYNAMICS framework to have a substantial impact on further theory development.     

Searching for short-term motivational alignment and spillover effects: A random intercept cross-lagged analysis of students’ expectancies and task values in math-intensive study programs

Students’ expectancy and value beliefs about math influence their academic choices and success in math-intensive study programs. Short-term declines in these motivational beliefs can serve as early warning signs of academic difficulties and dropout. However, such short-term motivational changes are underresearcherd. Based on Eccles et al.’s (2020) situated expectancy-value theory, this study analyzed within-person changes in the associations among students’ course-specific (summative) or week-specific (situated) expectancies and task values in gateway math courses for students in physics, math, or math teacher education majors (N = 773). Random intercept cross-lagged panel models showed increasing within-person alignment between students’ course-specific expected success and intrinsic/utility values (but not costs) over one semester. This alignment was linked to unidirectional spillover (i.e., cross-lagged) effects from expectancy to intrinsic/utility values. Students’ week-specific expectancy-value beliefs, reported at the beginning of the semester, showed no significant alignment and spillover effects. Differences in students’ course- or week-specific expectancy-value beliefs favored male and higher-achieving students and were largely time-invariant. Alignment between course-specific expectancy and value beliefs was higher for students who failed or dropped out of their math courses compared to those who succeeded. Greater motivational alignment can thus indicate greater disengagement from (math) coursework in challenging academic contexts. These findings highlight the importance of differentiating between-person and within-person motivational processes, suggest that summative versus situation-specific assessments of motivational beliefs may show different developmental patterns, and demonstrate that motivational alignment and spillover effects can be a sign of maladaptive motivational processes concerning students’ persistence in challenging STEM contexts.     

Rural adolescents' reading motivation,achievement and behavior across transition to high school

The authors examined 1,781 rural students' reading motivation and behavior across the transition from middle to high school. Using expectancy-value theory, they investigated how motivational variables predicted changes in reading behavior and achievement across the transition in terms of their expectancies, values, and out-of-school reading behaviors. A repeated measures analysis of variance indicated significant increases in vocabulary, intrinsic value, and out-of-school reading, whereas significant decreases were found in attainment value. Hierarchical regression analysis indicated students' subjective expectancy for success was a significant predictor of increases in both comprehension and vocabulary scores. Students' utility value interacted with intrinsic value in predicting reading comprehension scores. In terms of change in students' reading behavior, their perceptions of intrinsic value and utility value were significant predictors. Gender interacted significantly with expectancies in predicting behaviors. Findings have implications for instructional support, particularly as it relates to reading motivation across the transition from middle to high school.     

The Expectancy-Value Questionnaire in Physical Education: A Validation Study Among Norwegian Adolescents

One of the main aims of the school subject physical education (PE) is to promote a lifelong healthy lifestyle. The expectancy-value theory represents an essential theoretical perspective to examine and understand adolescents’ learning and motivation in PE. Based on this theory, the Expectancy-Value Questionnaire (EVQ) measures students’ expectancy-related beliefs and perceived task values related to a subject like PE. The aim of the present study was to examine the dimensionality, reliability, and construct validity of the Norwegian version of the EVQ among adolescents in PE. In total, 338 students from six schools completed the EVQ in their PE classes during the spring of 2016. Explorative and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted, suggesting the four-dimensional construct of the EVQ to be superior the two-factor-model. The EVQ measurement model of adolescents’ expectancy-related believes and subjective task values in PE demonstrated satisfying reliability and construct validity.     

Is cost separate from or part of subjective task value? An empirical examination of expectancy-value versus expectancy-value-cost perspectives

Situated expectancy-value theorists propose that students’ domain-specific expectancies and subjective task values are critical predictors of their achievement and academic choices in those domains. The theory also posits that subjective task values are multidimensional and can be separated into four subcomponents: intrinsic value, attainment value, utility value, and perceived cost. Recently, there have been debates regarding whether perceived cost should be conceptualized and operationalized as part of subjective task value (i.e., the classic expectancy-value perspective), or as a separate construct from subjective task value (i.e., the expectancy-value-cost perspective). In the present study, we explore different structural associations among expectancies, values, and costs using a hierarchical structural equation modeling approach in a high-stakes undergraduate biochemistry course. We use two different measures of perceived cost: one that measured cost as a unidimensional construct and one that measured cost as a multidimensional construct. We also report on data collected both before and after the COVID-19 lockdowns in the United States. Overall, our results suggested that models that supported the expectancy-value perspective and models that supported the expectancy-value-cost perspective both fit the data reasonably well. However, in line with situated expectancy-value theory, we discuss how aspects of the educational context (a high-stakes undergraduate context), the historical context (COVID-19), and measurement of cost (unidimensional vs. multidimensional) may have impacted our findings. Implications for SEVT and future research in this area are discussed.     

From expectancy-value theory to situated expectancy-value theory: A developmental,social cognitive,and sociocultural perspective on motivation

Eccles and colleagues’ expectancy-value theory of achievement choice has guided much research over the last 40+ years. In this article, we discuss five “macro” level issues concerning the theory. Our broad purposes in taking this approach are to clarify some issues regarding the current status of the theory, make suggestions for next steps for research based in the theory, and justify our decision to call the theory Situated Expectancy-Value Theory (SEVT). First, we note how visual representations of the model make it appear static, linear, and monolithic, something that was not intended from its inception. Second, we discuss definitions of the major psychological constructs in the model, focusing on our and others’ elaboration of the task value component, particularly the “cost” component. In this section we also discuss research on the development of expectancies and values. Third, we discuss the often-neglected middle part of the model focused on how individuals understand and interpret their own performance as well as the many messages they receive from different socializers regarding their activity participation and performance. In the fourth section we discuss the situative and culturally-focused aspects of the model, stressing the impact of the situation and cultural background on children’s developing expectancy and value hierarchies. The fifth issue (one that we mention in several of the previous sections) concerns the importance of understanding the development of individuals’ hierarchies of expectancies of success and subjective task values and how they relate to performance, choice, and engagement.     

Age and Gender Differences in Children's Self- and Task Perceptions during Elementary School

We examined the development of children's self- and task perceptions during the elementary school years. 865 first-, second-, and fourth-grade children (ages 7–10) completed questionnaires assessing their perceptions of competence in, and valuing of, activities in several activity domains (math, reading, sports, and instrumental music). Factor analyses showed that even the first graders had differentiated self-beliefs for the various activities. These analyses also indicated that children's competence beliefs and subjective task values formed distinct factors. Analyses assessing age and gender differences in children's beliefs showed that for all the activities except sports, younger children's (particularly the first graders) perceptions of competence and subjective task values were more positive than the beliefs of the older children. Boys had more positive competence beliefs and values than did girls for sport activities, and more positive competence beliefs for mathematics. Girls had more positive competence beliefs and values than did boys for reading and music activities.     

Understanding teacher technology integration from expectancy-value perspectives

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between teachers’ ability beliefs, expectancy beliefs, value beliefs, and technology integration based upon expectancy-value theory of motivation. The results of confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling show that teachers’ value and competence beliefs about technology integration are multidimensional constructs. Ability beliefs strongly predict expectancy and value beliefs. Most importantly, expectancy beliefs and value beliefs play differential roles in relation to teachers’ technology use in classrooms. The ways in which different aspects of teacher beliefs can be fostered are discussed.     

Using an expectancy-value approach to examine teachers’ motivational strategies

This study explored verbal motivational strategies in exemplary teachers’ classrooms. A framework derived from expectancy-value theory, which addresses student motivation for academic tasks, was applied. Audiotaped math and literacy lessons of two exemplary second-grade teachers showed a high number of comments related to expectancies and relatively fewer related to valuing tasks. In addition, teachers made more motivational statements when in the process of instruction than when introducing or concluding instructional episodes. Interviews revealed that some teacher beliefs, such as the importance of rationales or ensuring student success, were related to classroom strategies. Implications for theory, practice, and research are discussed.     

Motivational cost aspects of physical education in middle school students

Expectancy value theory presumes that learners’ motivation is determined by their expectancy beliefs and task values associated with learning tasks. This study examined students’ cost and its relation to expectancy beliefs, other task value components in physical education. Middle school students (N?=?593) from 11 schools completed the expectancy-value questionnaire. Qualitative analysis of students’ responses to open-ended questions showed motivational cost originated from curriculum content, instructional conditions/elements, physical discomfort, lack of social support and competence and teacher factors. Chi-square analysis suggests that students’ motivational cost is associated with their hypothetical choices of attending physical education. Motivational cost was found to be negatively associated with other task value components, but not with expectancy beliefs.     

Situational expectancies and task values: Associations with students' effort

According to expectancy-value theory, expectancies and task values are precursors for investing effort into learning. To date, it remains largely unknown (1) to what extent expectancies and values change from one learning situation to another and (2) to what extent inter-individual findings reflect intra-individual motivational processes. We applied an intensive longitudinal design in a sample of 155 pre-service teacher students attending a lecture. Across ten lessons with varying topics, students reported three times per lesson on their situational effort, expectancies, task values (intrinsic, attainment, utility), and cost. We used multilevel structural equation modeling with learning situations (L1), nested in topics (L2), and nested in students (L3). The results showed variability on all levels. We found positive associations of effort with task values on each level, positive associations with expectancies on the learning situation and topic levels, and smaller negative associations with cost on the topic level.     

Development of adolescents' self-perceptions, values, and task perceptions according to gender and domain in 7th- through 11th-grade Australian students

Latent growth models estimated developmental trajectories for adolescents' math and English self-perceptions (perceived talent, success expectancies), values (intrinsic, utility) and task perceptions (task difficulty, effort required). A longitudinal cohort-sequential study included 1,323 participants spanning Grades 7 to 11, with Occasion 1 mean ages 13.19, 12.36, and 14.41, respectively, for Cohorts 1, 2, and 3. Self-perceptions and values declined through adolescence, and ratings about difficulty and effort required increased. Gender differences favored boys for math and girls for English, with little evidence for gender intensification or gender convergence hypotheses. Explanations reference socialization and social-cognitive developmental theories and features of the curricula, with domain-specific patterns implying domain-specific explanations. Existing research is extended by modeling a broadened set of social-cognitive constructs within the Australian context.     

The peer group as a context for the development of young adolescent motivation and achievement

This study investigated the peer group as a context for the socialization of young adolescents' motivation and achievement in school. Social network analysis was used to identify peer groups of adolescents in middle school whose members regularly interacted with each other (N = 331). Actual reports from these peer group members were used to assess peer group characteristics. Multilevel analyses indicated that peer groups did socialize some academic characteristics, controlling for selection factors. Students' peer group context in the fall predicted changes in their liking and enjoyment of school (intrinsic value) and their achievement over the school year. Students' peer group context was unrelated to changes in their beliefs about the importance of school (utility value) or expectancies for success over the school year.     

Interactions of Metacognition With Motivation and Affect in Self-Regulated Learning: The MASRL Model

Metacognition, motivation, and affect are components of self-regulated learning (SRL) that interact. The “metacognitive and affective model of self-regulated learning” (the MASRL model) distinguishes two levels of functioning in SRL, namely, the Person level and the Task × Person level. At the Person level interactions between trait-like characteristics such as cognitive ability, metacognitive knowledge and skills, self-concept, perceptions of control, attitudes, emotions, and motivation in the form of expectancy-value beliefs and achievement goal orientations are hypothesized. These person characteristics guide top-down self-regulation. At the Task × Person level, that is, the level at which SRL events take place, metacognitive experiences, such as feeling of difficulty, and online affective states play a major role in task motivation and bottom-up self-regulation. Reciprocal relations between the two levels of functioning in SRL are also posited. The implications of the MASRL model for research and theory are discussed.     

Age Differences in the Dimensions of Perceived Control during Middle Childhood: Implications for Developmental Conceptualizations and Research

2 studies investigated developmental differentiation of children's causal beliefs across middle childhood. Grounded in meta-theories suggesting that development is characterized by progressive differentiation, hypotheses were derived from theory and research on the multiple dimensions of children's perceived control and on developmental changes in children's concepts of causal constructs. Age differences in the organization of children's causal perceptions were explored and replicated ( N 's = 294 and 240, ages 7–12). Analyses of factor structure of children's beliefs about the effectiveness of 5 causes for school success and failure (effort, ability, powerful others, luck, and unknown factors) revealed that beliefs became more differentiated with age. At ages 7–8, 2 dimensions were found, 1 marked by unknown and 1 by the remaining causes. At ages 9–10, 3 factors were present, marked by "internal,""external," and unknown means. By ages 11–12, 4 factors were indicated, marked by effort, ability, "external," and unknown causes. Findings suggested that different theories of perceived control may provide more useful accounts of the dimensions of causal beliefs at different ages. Implications were derived for measurement of perceived control and investigation of developmental change in its effects on children's motivation and behavior.     

Students’ achievement goals and beliefs of causes of success: Temporal relations and gender differences

According to the goal orientation model, students’ achievement goals and beliefs are interrelated. Within this framework, research and theory have so far assumed that achievement goals are associated with students’ beliefs of causes of success, the latter representing students’ subjective beliefs about the factors contributing to success at school. So far, this line of research has been restricted to a few cross-sectional studies. We examined the temporal relations between achievement goals (mastery, performance-approach, and performance-avoidance goals) and students’ beliefs of causes of success, the latter operationalized by asking the students to rate the subjective importance of diligence, effort, and ability for school success. Achievement goals and beliefs of causes of success were measured twice with a time lag of one school year with a sample of N = 2044 German secondary school students. Cross-lagged panel models were estimated to examine the temporal relations between achievement goals and beliefs of causes of success while controlling for students’ secondary school track, socio-economic status, and Grade Point Average. Former mastery goals were found to be positively related to later importance ratings of diligence for school success; former performance-approach goals were found to be positively related to later importance ratings of ability. Boys and girls were found to display similar relations among constructs but they showed differential mean levels on both the achievement goal constructs and the beliefs of causes of success. Implications for research on achievement goals and practice using intervention approaches are discussed.     

Profiles of afterschool motivations: A situated expectancy-value approach

Despite the benefits of afterschool programs, we know very little about what motivates adolescents to attend and what costs they might associate with doing so. Situated expectancy-value theory (SEVT) proposes that expectancy for success, value, and cost perceptions are motivational beliefs that are important precursors to students’ engagement in such programs, and thus may shape the extent to which students can benefit from them. Accordingly, we examined profiles of expectancy, value, and cost beliefs associated with afterschool program participation in a sample of middle school students (N = 197) in an urban context. We then examined profiles for their relations to student demographics (gender, grade, race/ethnicity), achievement (English and Math grades), and program attendance. Latent profile analyses yielded three profiles: a moderate-low mixed motivation profile, a high cost and mixed motivation profile, and a positively motivated with moderate effort cost profile, thus uniquely contributing to the literature by describing the nature and incidence of how multiple motivational beliefs co-occur among groups of students in afterschool spaces. Subsequent analyses revealed that the positively motivated with moderate effort cost profile was associated with higher program attendance rates than the other two profiles. These results extend the theoretical knowledge base by exploring students’ expectancies, values, and costs in an informal educational context and have important implications for afterschool educators and policymakers.     

Academic procrastination in linking motivation and achievement-related behaviours: a perspective of expectancy-value theory

The objective of the present study was to investigate the relationships among college students’ achievement motivation (subjective task value and academic self-efficacy), academic procrastination (delay and missing deadlines) and achievement-related behaviours (effort and persistence). More specifically, the study investigated the mediating role of academic procrastination in linking college students’ achievement motivation to their effort and persistence from the perspective of the expectancy-value theory. A total of 584 college students enrolled in a large southern urban university completed a self-report survey for the study. The study suggested two possible pathways that motivate students to persist and put forth greater effort, rooting in students’ academic self-efficacy and subjective task value through their relationships with students’ academic procrastination.