Self-Determination Theory and Student Motivation in Social Studies in an Urban Broward County Public High School

Authors

Roberto Fernandez III, Florida International UniversityFollow

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Arts (MA)

Major/Program

African and African Diaspora Studies

First Advisor's Name

Hilary Landorf

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Alexandra Cornelius-Diallo

Third Advisor's Name

Linda Spears-Bunton

Keywords

Motivation, Social Studies, High School, Self-Determination Theory

Date of Defense

3-23-2011

Abstract

This study investigated how students perceived their motivation in high school social studies classes in school and to determine if a correlation exists between students’ grade level, race, gender, and their motivation. The sample included 337 high school students in Broward County, Florida.

To assess students’ perceptions on their motivation the academic self-regulation questionnaire was utilized. Results indicate that social studies students show high levels of external regulation, with a mean score at 22.31 on a scale of 36 points. The results show a mean score of 24 on a scale of 28 points for identified regulation among social studies students.

Findings revealed that student motivation could be gauged. No statistical significance was found between high school students’ grade level, race, gender, and their motivation in social studies classes. The findings of this study have shown that students at Boyd H. Anderson High School want to learn social studies.

Identifier

FI11042103

Recommended Citation

Fernandez, Roberto III, "Self-Determination Theory and Student Motivation in Social Studies in an Urban Broward County Public High School" (2011). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 355.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/355