Development of Achievement Motivation

In this chapter we review work on the development of achievement motivation, focusing primarily on motivation for achievement in school. The chapter begins with a presentation of major current theories of achievement motivation. We then discuss research on the development of children's achievement motivation across the childhood and adolescent years, with special attention paid to gender differences in motivation and the role of culture, ethnicity, and immigration in influencing the development of children's motivation. The second major section of the chapter focuses on the socialization of motivation. We discuss parental influences on motivation; how different aspects of schooling, school environments, and school transitions influence motivation; and the roles of peers in children's motivation. The chapter concludes with future directions for the field.