Complexity of Ability-Motivation-Academic Performance Relationship: Revisiting AMO Model

Abstract

Drawing from the overarching ability-motivation-opportunity (AMO) model, this study is an effort to extend the AMO literature by exploring the sparsely researched combinative effect of ability and motivation dimensions on academic performance. Furthermore, we offer a novel operationalization of ability as a combination of objective, subjective, and perceptual measures. Additionally, the variations in the impact of ability over performance based on the work experience of an individual were also investigated. The data was collected from 220 students over a period of nine months of the first academic year of the postgraduate program in a management institute. We argue that while individuals with a certain amount of ability secure good scores in academics, motivation significantly helps those individuals whose abilities are comparatively low. We also argue that an individual’s work experience would act as a complement for ability.