Motivation for school

The reasons why teachers and students invest effort in school can be very diverse. These reasons differ in quality, with some types of motivation being more sustainable and constructive than others. The type of motivation driving their behavior plays a crucial role in how teachers and students experience their work, and how they think, feel, and act at school. 

We distinguish between passion (motivation driven by interest and enjoyment), personal meaningfulness (motivation based on the value or importance attached to school), internal pressure (motivation arising from feelings of guilt, shame, or pride), and external pressure (motivation due to external obligation). We also examine the extent to which motivation and intentionality are lacking (amotivation).