Making the grade: a self-worth perspective on motivation and school reform

Abstract

Part I. The Future and its Discontents: Prospects for building the future The failure to learn: A motivational analysis A moral tale Part II. Motives as Emotions: Need achievement The model: B = M x P x I Analysis and critique Further educational implications Part III. Motives as thoughts: Cognitions versus emotions Analysis and critique Educational implications Conclusions Part IV. Self-Worth and the Fear of Failure: Self-worth theory of achievement motivation An arsenal of excuses Motivated cognitions and coping Conclusions Part V. Achievement Anxiety: A brief history Integration Reducing anxiety Conclusions Part VI. The Competitive Learning Game: The structure of learning Scarcity of rewards Competition and minorities Conclusions Part VII. Motivational Equity and the Will to Learn: The problem Solutions Global gambit Conclusions Part VIII. Strategic Thinking and the Will to Learn: What is thinking? The evidence Strategic problems Problem discovery The transfer of knowledge Analysis and conclusions Part IX. An Immodest Proposal: Serious games Playing school Schools and jobs Prospects and conclusions Part X. Obstacles to Change: The myths of competition If not competition, then what? Conclusions Appendices References Index.