Andrew J. Martin
School motivation of boys and girls: Differences of degree, differences of kind, or both?
Western Sydney University
abstractthe present study sought explore invariance factor structure cluster profiles perceptual mapping student motivation function gender among sample 2927 australian high school students motivation differences explored using student motivation scale martin 2001 2002a 2002b data clearly show differences degree boys girls motivated although generally effect sizes small girls statistically significantly higher learning focus planning study management persistence boys significantly higher selfsabotage selfhandicapping interestingly girls also significantly higher anxiety however across boys girls invariance factor structure cluster profiles perceptual mapping suggesting fundamental motivational differences kind relation key facets motivation highly similar factor structure across boys girls boys girls grouped parallel motivation clusters boys girls seem perceptually locate key motivational dimensions similar ways concluded although girls higher levels motivation boys number dimensions two groups fundamental motivation orientations appear markedly qualitatively different holds implications data analysis also programmatic intervention aimed enhancing sustaining boys girls motivationkeywords student motivationgender differencessex differences