Should Economists Listen to Educational Psychologists? : Some Economics of Student Motivation

Donze, Jocelyn and Gunnes, Trude (2011): Should Economists Listen to Educational Psychologists? : Some Economics of Student Motivation.

Abstract

This paper sheds light on the role of student motivation in the success of schooling. We develop a model in which a teacher engages in the management of student motivation through the choice of the classroom environment. We show that the teacher is able to motivate high-ability students, at least in the short run, by designing a competitive environment. For students with low ability, risk aversion, or when engaged in a long-term relationship, the teacher designs a classroom environment that is more focused on mastery and self-referenced standards. In doing so, the teacher helps to develop the intrinsic motivation of students and their capacity to overcome failures.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Education; Student Achievement; Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation; Effort; Goal Theory.
• Subjects: D - Microeconomics > D0 - General > D03 - Behavioral Microeconomics: Underlying Principles; I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I2 - Education and Research Institutions > I21 - Analysis of Education

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