Abstract
We conducted two studies to determine the meanings that undergraduate students ascribe to their education and how these meanings relate to relevant psychological constructs: academic motivation and values. Ten meanings emerged: career preparation, independence, finding direction for the future, learning, self-development, taking the next step, making social connections, changing the world, stress, and escape. Support was found for many of the predicted relationships. For example, enjoyment motivation positively predicted all of the meanings, except taking the next step, stress, and escape. Also as expected, the values of intellectualism and academic achievement positively predicted learning, self-development, and changing the world. However, contrary to expectations, valuing physical development also emerged as a significant predictor of several of the meanings of education.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
G.W. Allport (1961) Pattern and growth in personality Holt, Rinehart & Winston New York
T.M. Amabile B.A. Hennessey B. Grossman (1986) ArticleTitleSocial influences on creativity: The effects of contracted-for reward Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 50 14–23 Occurrence Handle10.1037/0022-3514.50.1.14
T.M. Amabile K.G. Hill B.A. Hennessey E.M. Tighe (1994) ArticleTitleThe work preference inventory: Assessing intrinsic and extrinsic motivational orientations Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 66 IssueID5 950–967 Occurrence Handle10.1037/0022-3514.66.5.950
A. Antikainen J. Houtsonen H. Huotelin J. Kauppila (1995) ArticleTitleIn search of the meaning of education: The case of Finland Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research 39 IssueID4 295–309
A.W. Astin (1993) ArticleTitleAn empirical typology of college students Journal of College Student Development 34 IssueIDJanuary 36–46
Astin, A.W. (1996, March–April). The role of service in higher education. About Campus, 1(1), 14–19.
A.W. Astin (1999) ArticleTitleInvolvement in learning revisited: Lessons we have learned Journal of College Student Development 40 IssueID5 587–598
A.W. Astin L. Oseguera L.J. Sax W.S. Korn (2002) The American freshman: Thirty-five year trends Higher Education Research Institute Los Angeles
W. Bilsky S.H. Schwartz (1994) ArticleTitleValues and personality European Journal of Personality 8 163–181
H. Bowen (1977) Investment in learning: The individual and social value of American higher education Jossey-Bass San Francisco
K.V.T. Bui (2002) ArticleTitleFirst-generation college students at a four-year university: Background characteristics, reasons for pursuing higher education, and first-year experiences College Student Journal 36 IssueID1 3–11
B. Clark P. Heist M. McConnell M. Trow G. Yonge (1972) Students and colleges: Interaction and change University of California, Center for Research and Development in Higher Education Berkeley
E.L. Deci R. Ryan (1985) Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior Plenum Press New York
N.T. Feather (1980) Values in adolescence J. Adelson (Eds) Handbook of adolescent psychology Wiley New York 247–294
N.T. Feather (1982) Expectations and actions: Expectancy-value models in psychology Erlbaum Hillsdale, NJ
N.T. Feather (1992) ArticleTitleValues, valences, expectations, and actions Journal of Social Issues 48 109–124 Occurrence Handle10.1111/j.1540-4560.1992.tb00887.x
A.K. Feldman T. Newcomb (1969) The impact of college on students Jossey-Bass San Francisco
B.A. Hennessey T.M. Amabile M. Martinage (1989) ArticleTitleImmunizing children against the negative effects of reward Contemporary Educational Psychology 14 212–227 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0361-476X(89)90011-8
B.A. Hennessey S.M. Zbikowski (1993) ArticleTitleImmunizing children against the negative effects of reward: A further examination of intrinsic motivation training techniques Creativity Research Journal 6 297–308 Occurrence Handle10.1080/10400419309534485
S. Hitlin J.A. Piliavin (2004) ArticleTitleValues: Reviving a dormant concept Annual Review of Sociology 30 359–393 Occurrence Handle10.1146/annurev.soc.30.012703.110640
D.C. Holland M.A. Eisenhart (1990) Educated in romance: Women, achievement, and college culture University of Chicago Press Chicago
B.D. Lattin J. Kerssen-Griep J. Thede (2002) ArticleTitleMetaphors and motivation: Understanding college students’ learning experiences at four types of schools C & U Journal, Fall 78 IssueID2 21–27
A. Levine J.S. Cureton (1998) When hope and fear collide: A portrait of today’s college student Jossey-Bass San Francisco
S. Mann (2001) ArticleTitleAlternative perspectives on the student experience: Alienation and engagement Studies in Higher Education 26 7–19 Occurrence Handle10.1080/03075070020030689
M. Moffatt (1995) What college is really like D.M. Newman (Eds) Sociology: Exploring the architecture of everyday life. Pine Forge Press Thousand Oaks, London, New Delhi 59–68
E.T. Pascarella P.T. Terenzini (1991) How college affects students Jossey-Bass San Francisco
M.J. Rohan (2000) ArticleTitleA rose by any name? The values construct Personality and Social Psychology Review 4 IssueID3 255–277 Occurrence Handle10.1207/S15327957PSPR0403_4
M. Rokeach (1973) The nature of human values Free Press New York
R.M. Ryan J.G. La Guardia (1999) ArticleTitleAchievement motivation within a pressured society: Intrinsic and extrinsic motivations to learn and the politics of school reform Advances in Motivation and Achievement 11 45–85
Schilling, K.M., & Schilling, K.L. (1999, May–June). Increasing expectations for student effort. About Campus, 4(2), 4–10.
S.H. Schwartz W. Bilsky (1987) ArticleTitleToward a psychological structure of human values Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 53 550–562 Occurrence Handle10.1037/0022-3514.53.3.550
W.A. Scott (1965) Values and organizations: A study of fraternities and sororities Rand McNally Chicago
Skorupa, K. (2002, December). Adult learners as consumers. Retrieved February 29, 2004, from http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Clearinghouse/Advising_Issues/adultlearners.htm.
A.J. Stewart (1982) ArticleTitleThe course of individual adaptation to life changes Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 42 1100–1113 Occurrence Handle10.1037/0022-3514.42.6.1100
A.J. Stewart M. Sokol J.M. Healy SuffixJr. N.L. Chester (1986) ArticleTitleLongitudinal studies of psychological consequences of life changes in children and adults Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 50 143–151 Occurrence Handle10.1037/0022-3514.50.1.143
J. Trent L. Medsker (1968) Beyond high school: A psychological study of 10,000 high-school graduates Jossey-Bass San Francisco
E. Weiner (1999) ArticleTitleThe meaning of education for university students with a psychiatric disability: A grounded theory analysis Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal 22 IssueID4 403–409
M.A. Wolf (1985) ArticleTitleThe meaning of education in late life: An exploration of life review Gerontology and Geriatrics Education 5 IssueID3 51–59 Occurrence Handle10.1300/J021v05n03_06
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Henderson-King, D., Smith, M.N. Meanings of Education for University Students: Academic Motivation and Personal Values as Predictors. Soc Psychol Educ 9, 195–221 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11218-006-0006-4
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11218-006-0006-4