Abstract

SANTOS, Acácia Aparecida Angeli dos; MOGNON, Jocemara Ferreira; LIMA, Thatiana Helena de  and  CUNHA, Neide Brito. The relationship between academic life and motivation for learning in college. Psicol. Esc. Educ. [online]. 2011, vol.15, n.2, pp. 283-290. ISSN 1413-8557.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1413-85572011000200010.

In this study we aim at identifying the relationship between academic life and motivation for learning by evaluating possible differences based on student's sex, age and course. We assessed 239 students using the "Escala de Avaliação da Vida Acadêmica (EAVA) and the "Escala de Motivação para Aprendizagem" (EMAPRE). The results indicated that the correlation between instruments were significant, being positive between learning goal and the student's ability and negative for two factors: involvement in non-compulsory activities and conditions in academic performance. There was significant and positive correlation for the performance-approach goal between conditions for studying and academic achievement. Regarding performance-avoidance goal, there were significant positive correlations between the factors: commitment to the course, conditions for studying and academic performance. There were significant differences regarding student's sex and course. Based on literature in the area, we discussed the results of the research.

Keywords : Motivation; college students; academic achievement.