Children’s theories of motivation

To investigate children’s theories of motivation, we asked 166 children (8–12 years of age) to rate the effect of various motivational strategies on task interest, over the short and long terms, in activities described as appealing or unappealing. Children viewed the rewards strategy as resulting in greatest interest except when implemented over the long term for appealing activities. Individual difference analyses revealed that some children held operant theories of motivation, in which rewards were central, and others held hybrid theories, in which rewards were key, but some allowance was made for interest to be self-sustaining in the absence of inducements. Children’s theories predicted their academic self-regulation. Their theories are discussed relative to an expert theory of motivation.

► We investigate children’s theories of motivation.
► Children indicate immediate and long-term effectiveness of motivational strategies.
► Overall, children hold an operant view of rewards as most effective strategy.
► 75%, however, have a “hybrid” theory – operant tempered by minimal sufficiency.
► Hybrid theorists recognize that motivation can thrive in the absence of rewards.