The moderation effect of original motivation level on the relation between task instrumentality and the change in motivation level

Abstract

This experiment investigated the motivational effect of task instrumentality in a group of 8th grade students (N = 92). It investigated whether telling students that memory skills were instrumental could produce motivational effect. With reference to the self-determination theory, it was hypothesized that the original level of motivation would serve as the moderator of the effect of instrumentality on the change in motivation. It was believed that instrumentality would have more impact on students with low level of motivation at the first place; while the impact of instrumentality would be less on students with high level of motivation at the first place. The experiment was successful in the manipulation of instrumentality of memory skill. There was an increase in students’ introjection after the intervention. The main effects showed that the teaching session was effective in reducing students’ external regulation. Marginal significant main effect was found in the experimental group, where they had higher identification to the mnemonic session compared to the control group. Regarding the moderation effect, there was no significant moderation effect of original motivation level on the relation between task instrumentality and the change in motivation level. Implications of these findings on education were discussed.