Determining the factors affecting learning motivation of master candidates of economic management based on need for cognition

Abstract

Most studies on learning motivation of master candidates focus on language learning. Few have discussed the formation and evolution of learning motivation based on the need for cognition (NFC). This paper explores the factors influencing the learning motivation of master candidates of economic management (EM), drawing on the theory of the NFC. A guestionnaire survey was conducted on the NFC, the scale and the learning motivation of 233 EM master candidates from several universities in southwestern China. The survey results were analyzed in details. It is concluded that, for EM master candidates, the NFC has a significant positive correlation with active and passive learning motivations; their learning motivation is promoted by both internal drives and external factors. On this basis, the authors gave instructions on the education of EM master candidates.