The effects of children's social responsibility goal on academic achievements

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the motivational processes of how social responsibility goal influences academic achievements. In the first study, social responsibility goal scale and academic goal scales were developed. Those scales were administered to 591 4th through 6th graders and the reliability was certified. The second study aimed at examining the effects of these goals on motivational processes and academic achievements. In addition to the above two kinds of goal scales, children's classroom behavior inventory and questionnaires on their interests and motivation to school subjects were administered to 238 4th through 6th graders. Also, teachers were asked to rate the strength of children's interests and motivation to school subjects, children's academic outcomes, and the degree of teachers' acceptance of the children. A path analysis revealed that both social responsibility and academic mastery goals influenced academic achievements. However, it also revealed that only social responsibility goal was mediated by teachers' acceptance of the children. The unique motivational processes in the classrooms related to children's social responsibility goal were discussed.