Achievement Emotions Research Articles

Toward academic satisfaction and performance: the role of students’ achievement emotions

Toward academic satisfaction and performance: the role of students’ achievement emotions

Cognitive appraisals and information-seeking achievement emotions: a qualitative study of Swedish primary teacher students

PurposePrimary teachers play a vital role in fostering pupils' successful futures. Therefore, gaining knowledge of primary teacher students' learning processes, including the achievement of information-seeking skills, is crucial. The aim of this paper is to understand better the interplay between cognitive appraisals and emotions in the constructivist process of learning and achieving information-seeking skills.Design/methodology/approachIn-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with six Swedish primary teacher students. The analysis of qualitative data was deductive and theory-driven, guided by Kuhlthau's information search process model, Scherer's semantic space of emotions and Pekrun's control-value theory of achievement emotions.FindingsAnger/frustration, enjoyment and boredom were identified as activity emotions and anxiety, hopelessness and hope as prospective outcome emotions. The retrospective outcome emotions found were pride, joy, gratitude, surprise and relief. The appraisals eliciting the achievement emotions were the control appraisals uncertainty/certainty (activity and prospective outcome) and oneself/other (retrospective), and value appraisals negative/positive intrinsic motivation (activity) and failure/success (prospective and retrospective). The interplay between appraisals and emotions was complex and dynamic. The processes were individually unique, non-linear and iterative, and the appraisals did not always elicit emotions.Originality/valueThe study has theoretical and methodological implications for information behaviour research in its application of appraisal theories and the Geneva affect label coder. In addition, it has practical implications for academic librarians teaching information-seeking skills.

Relationship between university students’ personalities and e-learning engagement mediated by achievement emotions and adaptability

Relationship between university students’ personalities and e-learning engagement mediated by achievement emotions and adaptability

Cognitive and motivational qualities of task instruction: Cognitive appraisals and achievement emotions of Swedish primary teacher students

Given the crucial role of primary teachers in shaping pupils' development, equipping primary teacher students with the necessary skills, including information-seeking skills, is fundamentally important. The aim of this study is to gain a better understanding of the process of achieving such skills by exploring the interplay between cognitive appraisals and achievement emotions and the way in which these are affected by the quality of instructions experienced. Instruction librarians' support in relation to instructions and how these can be designed to promote achievement are also investigated.Six Swedish primary teacher students were studied through in-depth semi-structured interviews over a period of 10 weeks. The methodological tool Geneva affect label coder was used for the mapping and categorization of appraisals and emotions. The analysis of the qualitative data was theory driven and deductively interpreted through the lens of Pekrun's control–value theory of achievement emotions, Scherer's semantic space of emotions, and Kuhlthau's information search process model.The cognitive appraisals identified were uncertainty, certainty, and negative and positive intrinsic motivation. The achievement emotions found in relation to cognitive quality were anger/frustration, anxiety, and hopelessness, and those linked to motivational quality were enjoyment and boredom. Uncertainty and negative intrinsic motivation/failure elicited emotions related to cognitive quality, and negative/positive intrinsic motivation and certainty determined emotions related to motivational quality. The interplay between appraisals and emotions was complex, involving feedback loops and reciprocal causation. The support from instruction librarians experienced was related to the students' ability to master the instructions and their cognitive qualities.The study has theoretical and methodological implications for information behavior and information literacy research in its application of appraisal theories and methodological tools. It also has practical implications for academic instruction librarians supporting students in the process of achieving information-seeking skills. By understanding how students experience support and the relations to the quality of task instructions, support can be designed in ways that promote positive achievement emotions and by implication achievement.

The Struggle Is Relative: A Comparative Processing Perspective on Academic Self-Concept and Student Mental Health

Academic self-concept (ASC) is a prominent predictor of educational achievement and student mental health. Although it is widely accepted that ASC is fundamentally comparative, little is known about different comparison types driving students’ ASC construal and its impact on mental health. Therefore, we examined whether self-evaluations relative to criteria-based, social, temporal, dimensional, and counterfactual comparison standards represent independent factors that contribute to general ASC. Next, we assessed the association of general ASC and its comparison-based facets with achievement emotions and psychopathology. University students (N=348) completed an online survey of general ASC as well as subordinate comparison-based ASC facets, positive and negative achievement emotions, psychological distress, and symptoms of student burnout. We further assessed comparison frequency, student task values, and achievement levels. Factor analysis indicated that criteria-based, social, temporal, dimensional, and counterfactual standards reflect mainly distinct yet correlated comparison domains. General ASC construal was most strongly based on the criteria-based and social facets. Favourable general ASC predicted lower learning-related anxiety, psychological distress, and student burnout. Largely similar correlations emerged for all comparison-based ASC facets, whereby the criteria-based and social facets were particularly strong predictors of learning-related anxiety. Our findings support the view that ASC construal relies on comparisons with multiple standards. Criteria-based and social comparisons were particularly dominant and may be the main drivers of learning-related anxiety. Carefully designed follow-up studies with longitudinal designs and interventions are warranted.

Toward improving student motivation and performance in introductory programming learning by Scratch: The role of achievement emotions.

This study investigated the differences in programming novices' intrinsic motivation and performance within a Scratch-based programming learning environment using a pretest-posttest intervention design. Specifically, this study aimed to examine what and how achievement emotions were aroused to impact learners' academic success during Scratch implementation processes by employing regression analyses. One hundred and seventy-two undergraduates (Mage = 20.44, SDage = 1.09, 55.8% female) were voluntarily recruited to participate in a Scratch-based instruction workshop during a 6-week period. The workshop was structured with regard to preparation, Scratch-based programming learning and projects, and assessment activities and questionnaire implemented both before the instructional period and after the workshop. The results suggested that the Scratch-based intervention significantly increased students' overall motivation and examination performance. Concerning achievement emotions, the outcome emotion of hopelessness first negatively predicted students' motivation and performance. Anxiety then replaced hopelessness as a negative predictor, while enjoyment was the strongest predictor of motives and performance. Taking eight emotions together, the arousal of activity and outcome emotions within visual programming environments facilitated students' emotion dynamics that impacted motivation and performance. The discussion and contributions concerning the mechanism behind the effectiveness of visualization and the emotion-performance relationship are presented herein.

Preservice teachers’ epistemic and achievement emotions when confronted with common misconceptions about education.

Preservice teachers’ epistemic and achievement emotions when confronted with common misconceptions about education.

Motivational Profiles of High Achievers in Mathematics: Relations with Metacognitive Processes and Achievement Emotions

The current study aimed to explore alternative motivational profiles of high achievers in Mathematics, within the framework of the Situated Expectancy-Value Theory. Furthermore, it aimed to examine the profiles’ potential differences in relation to self-reported metacognitive processes, such as metacognitive awareness and experiences, and achievement emotions related to Mathematics. A comprehensive evaluation in Mathematics was conducted on a total of 492 ninth-graders, including students from regular junior high schools, experimental junior high schools, and an academically advanced summer program. The assessment involved a battery of school-type mathematical tasks, resulting in the identification of 141 high achievers. Cluster analysis, based on students’ expectancies for success, subjective value, and perceived cost in relation to Mathematics, revealed five motivational profiles labeled as follows: Cluster 1. Higher Motivation, Cluster 2: Higher Expectancies, Value, and Cost, Cluster 3: Lower Expectancies, Cluster 4: Lower Value, and Cluster 5: Lower Motivation. Differences were found among the five profiles in terms of students’ reported metacognitive awareness and their emotions of enjoyment, pride, anxiety, shame, and boredom toward Mathematics. Students with the Higher Motivation profile appeared to be the most adaptive across all of the examined variables, while students with the Lower Motivation profile reported less favorable levels of motivational and affective variables than most others. However, high achievers did not differ significantly regarding their metacognitive accuracy. Examination of the gender distribution within the clusters did not reveal any differences in gender representation.

Reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the achievement emotions questionnaire for physical education in university students

BackgroundAchievement emotions have a significant impact on both the learning process and outcomes. However, there is currently no brief and effective questionnaire available to evaluate Chinese university students' achievement emotions in physical education courses. This study aimed to examine the reliability and validity of the Achievement Emotions for Physical Education Questionnaire (AEQ-PE) in a sample of Chinese university students, while also investigating its measurement invariance across gender and grade levels.MethodsA cluster randomization sampling method was used to select 694 first- and second-year university students in Shanghai, China for the survey. Descriptive statistics, item analysis, reliability testing, and measurement invariance testing were conducted on the full sample (n = 694). Subsequently, the full sample was randomly divided into two groups, with Sample 1 (n = 347) undergoing exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and Sample 2 (n = 347) undergoing confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to test the structural validity, convergent validity, and discriminant validity of the Chinese version of the Achievement Emotions Questionnaire for Physical Education (AEQ-PE-C). Finally, Sample 3 (n = 45), which was retested one month later, was used to evaluate test–retest reliability.ResultsThe Chinese version of the Achievement Emotions Questionnaire for Physical Education consists of 6 dimensions and 24 items, with good item discrimination. The EFA supported a 6-factor structure model, while the CFA demonstrated good model fit indices (χ2/df = 3.086, CFI = 0.928, TLI = 0.916, RMSEA = 0.078) and good convergent and discriminant validity. The questionnaire exhibits high internal consistency reliability (0.794) and excellent test–retest reliability (0.792). Furthermore, the multi-group analysis confirms that the AEQ-PE-C questionnaire has measurement invariance across gender and grade levels.ConclusionThe Chinese version of the Achievement Emotions Questionnaire for Physical Education has good reliability and validity, as well as measurement invariance across gender and grade levels, making it an effective tool for measuring achievement emotions in physical education among Chinese university students.

The Cognitive-affective Distinction in Achievement Goal: The Development and Validation of the Achievement Questionnaire for Biology Learning

K-8 science teacher candidates often struggle with the difficult learning tasks in multiple science courses in their teacher-training program. One of the major parts of these science courses is biology. Student learning in biology depends on their motivational and affective variables as much as their cognitive abilities. As one of the theories of motivation, the achievement goal theory seeks how individuals pursue academic study by focusing on mastery or performance goals. In addition to goal settings, achievement emotions also influence learners’ academic performance. The authors suggested a theoretical model integrating achievement emotions into the construct of achievement goal theory. The present study has potential provide more insight into individual differences in goal preferences. This model was examined with K-8 science teacher candidates (n = 581). To test the theoretical model, the “Achievement Goal Questionnaire for Biology Learning” (AGQ-BL) was devised. According to the theoretical model, the AGQ-BL consisted of six subscales which are Mastery Goals-(affective-cognitive), Performance Goals-Approach (Affective-Cognitive), and Performance Goals Avoidance-(affective-cognitive). The explanatory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were utilized to verify the construct validity of the AGQ-BL. The results of EFA showed and CFA confirmed that the AGQ-BL was composed of six factors, as proposed by the theoretical framework. Internal consistency of the subscales of the AGQ-BL computed by Cronbach’s alpha revealed high reliability for each. This study empirically demonstrated the integration of cognitive and emotional goals in achievement settings regarding biology learning. Thus, it can be asserted achievement goals’ structure could have more predictive potential on affective and cognitive variables in biology education.

Developmental trajectories of achievement emotions in mathematics during adolescence.

This study examined how adolescents' emotions in mathematics develop over time. Growth curve modeling was applied to longitudinal data collected annually from 2002 to 2006 (Grades 5-9; N = 3425 German adolescents; Mage = 11.7, 15.6 years at the first and last waves, respectively; 50.0% female). Results indicated that enjoyment and pride decreased over time (Glass's Δs = -.86, -.71). In contrast, negative emotions exhibited more complex patterns: Anger, boredom, and hopelessness increased (Δs = .52, .79, .26), shame decreased (Δ = -.12), and anxiety remained stable (Δ = .00). These change trajectories of emotions were associated with change trajectories of perceived control, intrinsic value, achievement value, and achievement in mathematics. Implications and future directions are discussed.

Examining the Effects of Mobile-Assisted Collaborative Language Learning on Achievement Emotions

Examining the Effects of Mobile-Assisted Collaborative Language Learning on Achievement Emotions

Control/value appraisals and achievement emotions in primary school children in Hong Kong: The mediating role of academic coping

The transition to primary school is stressful for children in Hong Kong, with students showing high rates of anxiety and depressive symptoms. To further understand this transition, the current study: 1) examined the utility of Pekrun’s (2006) theory of achievement emotions for young children with limited control conceptions; 2) tested the theory in high and low competence subject areas; and 3) tested a mediational model predicting changes in children’s achievement emotions over time from control/value appraisals and academic coping strategies. 242 children (age 5 to 6) from 11 schools in Hong Kong participated. At each of two time points (the third and last months of the school year), children were interviewed individually about their control/value appraisals, academic achievement emotions, and academic coping strategies. Control and value appraisals were positively associated with academic enjoyment and negatively associated with boredom and anxiety. The control by value interaction for academic anxiety was in the expected direction and marginally significant (p =.06). Results were stronger for the low competence areas, and the mediational model was significant for girls only.

Correction: Investigating the antecedents of engagement in online learning: do achievement emotions matter?

Correction: Investigating the antecedents of engagement in online learning: do achievement emotions matter?

Academic boredom(s): a person-centered investigation.

Should we refer to boredom or boredoms? Research on the emotion of boredom sets itself apart from studies on other emotions by posing the question: is boredom a singular concept or does it have multiple facets? In this manuscript presenting empirical research on academic boredom, our aim is to demonstrate the justification for claiming a distinct position. Person-centered models examining university students' achievement emotions reveal the existence of multiple types of boredom, in contrast to other learning emotions that are typically represented as singular constructs. Using data generated by dispositional learning analytics applications, we further investigate the progression of learning boredom over time, exploring the impact of the pandemic and analyzing how various student learning aptitudes, such as mindsets, epistemological beliefs, epistemic emotions, learning motivation, engagement, as well as demographic factors like gender and culture, can be considered as potential antecedents or triggers of boredom. Consistent with the control-value theory of achievement emotions, we conclude that control and value constructs serve as proximal antecedents of boredom, alongside epistemic boredom as a distal antecedent. However, the relationships between boredom and its antecedents exhibit notable variations across different types of boredom.

The Association Between Online Class-Related Anxiety and Academic Achievement Among Undergraduates

Online classrooms have become an important way to cope with the uncertainty of changing teaching and learning contexts in universities since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this learning mode has caused new physical and mental health issues, such as online class-related anxiety. We investigated the association between online class-related anxiety and undergraduates' academic achievement. The results showed that online classrelated anxiety had a negative correlation with undergraduates' academic achievement. Intrinsic school motivation mediated the relationship between online class-related anxiety and academic achievement, but extrinsic school motivation suppressed the negative link between these variables. Gender played a moderating role in the process of online class-related anxiety affecting academic achievement. This study expands the research perspective of achievement emotion theory, especially in the online learning environment. Emotional intervention strategies can be adjusted according to the gender of college students to promote the improvement of academic achievement.

The Predicting Role of EFL Students’ Achievement Emotions and Technological Self-efficacy in Their Technology Acceptance

The Predicting Role of EFL Students’ Achievement Emotions and Technological Self-efficacy in Their Technology Acceptance

Iranian University EFL Students’ Cognitive Appraisals of Control and Value, Learning-Related Achievement Emotions, and Academic Achievement

The purpose was to examine the relationship between cognitive appraisals of control and value, learning-related achievement emotions, and academic achievement among Iranian EFL university students. Participants included 440 senior EFL students of different ages (22-35) from 15 universities in Iran. They completed the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (Pintrich, et al., 1991), and the Achievement Emotions Questionnaire (Pekrun et al., 2005). Moreover, the participants’ total Grade Point Averages were collected from the universities. The results revealed that control and value appraisals were positively correlated with all positive emotions, while all negative emotions except boredom were negatively correlated with control and value appraisals. Moreover, perceived value of learning could best predict participants’ enjoyment, while the perceived control over learning could best predict their hopes. The results also revealed that positive achievement emotions were positively correlated with participants’ academic achievement, while negative achievement emotions were negatively correlated with it. Finally, the findings showed enjoyment was the best predictor of participants’ academic achievement. The results can support EFL educators, material developers and syllabus designers to get a better description of EFL students’ control and value appraisals, achievement emotions and academic achievement, and their relationships with each other.

Connections between achievement emotions and covariational reasoning: The case of Valeria

This research explores the link between achievement emotions and covariational reasoning, a type of mathematical reasoning involving two variables. The study employs a case study approach, focusing on a high school calculus student named Valeria, and develops a theoretical framework based on the control-value theory and levels of covariational reasoning. The results reveal that Valeria’s ability to coordinate variables and her perceived importance of solving mathematical problems influence her experience of achievement emotions, including enjoyment and frustration. The case study enables the creation of a hypothetical model that explains how students feel achievement emotions when tackling mathematical tasks that require covariational reasoning. The study highlights the significance of comprehending the interplay between emotions and mathematical reasoning to cultivate advanced cognitive and emotional abilities. This research is essential in bridging the gap between emotions and mathematical reasoning, a topic that has been previously overlooked in research on the affective domain.

Construct Validation and Prediction of the School Psychological Capital in Two Chinese Cultural Contexts

Psychological Capital (PsyCap) has received much attention in industrial-organizational research because it is linked to a broad spectrum of adaptive work-related outcomes. However, few studies have been conducted on PsyCap in non-Western school contexts, especially in the ethnic minority areas of Mainland China. The present study aims to validate the school PsyCap scale, examine the latent mean differences of school PsyCap across Dai and Han groups, and verify the correlation between school PsyCap and academic engagement, achievement emotions, and academic achievement in a sample of 769 Chinese school children (Han students = 249, Dai students = 520) in the seventh and eighth grades. Results demonstrated that the Chinese version of the school PsyCap scale had excellent psychometric properties. Besides, there were no significant differences in the mean level of school PsyCap between the two cultural groups of Chinese Dai and Han. However, the multi-group second-order CFA model showed that the mean level of Dai students’ resilience was lower than that of Chinese Han. The findings also showed that school PsyCap has positive predictive effects on optimal academic outcomes (i.e., academic engagement, enjoyment, and academic achievement) but negatively affect boredom. This study enriches the understanding of school PsyCap from a cross-cultural perspective. Both theoretical and practical implications are discussed.