Search

Theories in motivation science, and in psychological science more generally, are in a state of fragmentation that impedes development of a robust body of knowledge. Furthermore, fragmentation hinders communication among scientists, with practitioners, and with policymakers and the public. Theoretical integration is needed to overcome this situation. In this commentary, I first provide an overview of the integrative frameworks presented in this collection of articles. Based on this overview, I discuss if and when we should integrate theories. Several non-trivial conditions need to be met for integration, including convergence of phenomena, constructs, and theoretical propositions. Next, I address strategies for integration, including rules for merging constructs and ways to integrate propositions. I also discuss how the generation of integrative frameworks, if not successfully enacted, can paradoxically lead to further proliferation rather than a reduction of theories. In contrast, successful integration reduces redundancy and simplifies the conceptual space used to describe, explain, or predict a set of phenomena. Successful integration may require not only theoretical work but also empirical validation, strategic efforts in the scientific community, and change of institutional policies. In conclusion, I argue that within-discipline integration alone is not sufficient to overcome the current theoretical stagnation in the field. Attention to advances in neighboring disciplines, formalization of models of motivation, and theoretical differentiation to consider the specificity of constructs, populations, and contexts are needed as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-wave-cross-lagged-panel models (CLPMs) of directional ordering are a focus of much controversy in educational psychology and more generally. Extending traditional analyses, methodologists have recently argued for including random intercepts and lag2 effects between non-adjacent waves and giving more attention to controlling covariates. However, the related issues of appropriate time intervals between waves (lag1 intervals across waves) and the possibility of contemporaneous (lag0) effects within each wave are largely unresolved. Although philosophers, theologians, and scientists widely debate sequential (lagged) and simultaneous (lag0) theories of causality, CLPM researchers have mostly ignored contemporaneous effects, arguing causes must precede effects. In a substantive-methodological synergy, we integrated these issues and designed new structural equation models to reanalyze one of the strongest CLPM studies of academic self-concept (ASC) and achievement (five annuals of mathematics data; 3527 secondary school students). A taxonomy of models incorporating various combinations of lag0, lag1, and lag2 effects, random intercepts, and covariates consistently supported a priori reciprocal effect model (REM) predictions—medium or large reciprocal effects of ASC and achievement on each other. Consistent with self-concept theory, effects of ASC on achievement evolved over time (lag1, not lag0 effects), whereas effects of achievement on ASC effects were more contemporaneous (lag0, not lag1 effects). We argue that lag0 effects reflect proximal events occurring subsequent to the previous data wave, suggesting the need for shorter intervals but also leaving open the possibility of contemporaneous effects that are truly instantaneous. We discuss limitations and future directions but also note the broad applicability of our statistical models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The critical importance of positive emotions for classroom functioning is well established and teachers' and learners' trait-based joy during class has been shown to covary. This has been interpreted as evidence of emotional contagion across teachers and learners. However, no research to date seems to have explored in-situ processes of emotional contagion, thus the social dynamic of positive emotion transmission during instruction is poorly understood. In this study, we aim to explore one fundamental mechanism proposed to underlie emotional contagion, namely facial mimicry. We seek to provide evidence of facial joy mimicry between teachers and students during real-life instruction, and explore its relations with teachers' and learners' subjective session joy experiences. Participants were 13 university instructors and 69 of their students. Participants' joy expressions were captured through a multi-camera setup and submitted to AI-based automated facial emotion coding. Facial mimicry within each teacher–student dyad was determined through cross-recurrence quantification analysis. Instructors' and students' facial expressions of joy co-occurred substantially above chance level -2s and +3s seconds relative to the instructors' expressions. Post-session self-reported joy was significantly positively correlated with the instructor–student dyad mimicry quantity for instructors, but not for students. Our findings suggest that joy transmission between teachers and students is a reciprocal process, and that teachers seem to emotionally benefit from joint episodes of positive expression in class. • We explore facial mimicry in the context of teacher-student joy transmission. • Teachers' and students' facial expressions of joy co-occur above chance. • This joy mimicry happens -2s and +3s seconds relative to teacher expression. • Joy mimicry among teachers and students is a two-way street. • Teachers seem to emotionally benefit from high levels of reciprocal joy mimicry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Aims Sample Methods Results Conclusion Recent research on boredom suggests that it can emerge in situations characterized by over‐ and under‐challenge. In learning contexts, this implies that high boredom may be experienced both by low‐ and high‐achieving students.This research aimed to explore the existence and prevalence of boredom due to being over‐ and under‐challenged in mathematics, for which empirical evidence is lacking.We employed a sample of 1.407 students (fifth to ninth graders) from all three secondary school tracks (lower, middle and upper) in Bavaria (Germany).Boredom was assessed via self‐report and achievement via a standardized mathematics test. We used latent profile analysis to identify groups characterized by different levels of boredom and achievement, and we additionally examined gender and school track as group membership predictors.Results revealed four distinct groups, of which two showed considerably high boredom. One was coupled with low achievement on the test (i.e. ‘over‐challenged group’, 13% of the total sample), and one was coupled with high achievement (i.e. ‘under‐challenged group’, 21%). Furthermore, we found a low boredom and high achievement (i.e. ‘well‐off group’, 27%) and a relatively low boredom low achievement group (i.e. ‘indifferent group’, 39%). Girls were overrepresented in the over‐challenged group, and students from the upper school track were underrepresented in the under‐challenged group.Our research emphasizes the need to openly discuss and further investigate boredom due to being over‐ and under‐challenged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined how adolescents' emotions in mathematics develop over time. Growth curve modeling was applied to longitudinal data collected annually from 2002 to 2006 (Grades 5–9; N = 3425 German adolescents; Mage = 11.7, 15.6 years at the first and last waves, respectively; 50.0% female). Results indicated that enjoyment and pride decreased over time (Glass's Δs = −.86, −.71). In contrast, negative emotions exhibited more complex patterns: Anger, boredom, and hopelessness increased (Δs =.52,.79,.26), shame decreased (Δ = −.12), and anxiety remained stable (Δ =.00). These change trajectories of emotions were associated with change trajectories of perceived control, intrinsic value, achievement value, and achievement in mathematics. Implications and future directions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]