The role of affective - motivational factors in freshmen’s study time investment

Abstract

The current study investigates whether affective-motivational factors predict study time investment. More specifically, we examined whether self-study time, regularity of self-study, and class attendance are related to self-efficacy, learning goal orientation (Dweck, 1999), causal attribution of poor performance, and different aspects of action-orientation (disengaging vs. being preoccupied with failure; taking initiative vs. hesitating, being persistent vs. being easily distracted; Kuhl, 1994). 323 freshmen of business economics (Hasselt University, Belgium) participated. Students recorded their study time for a particular course at least weekly for the entire duration of the term. Affective-motivational factors regarding the course were measured by a student questionnaire. Especially self-study time was predicted by affective-motivational factors. Differential relations were found for low vs. high achievers for the course concerned.