A Self-Determination Approach to Understanding Chinese University Students' Choice of Academic Majors
Author(s): Mingming Zhou, Yabo Xu
Abstract: This study examined whether distinct profiles of Chinese undergraduates' choice of academic majors could be created and whether such profiles linked to self-reported motivation in learning, learning strategy use, and academic performance. Data were collected from 83 Chinese university students (71% female). They were asked to describe the reasons for their choices of majors and completed surveys on learning during the semester. Their final exam scores were collected as indicators of their academic success. Three distinct groups were first established by coding their reasons for choosing their major using self-determination theory. ANOVA analyses revealed that students who made the choice out of their own will and interest reported higher level of learning motivation, strategy use and better achievement, whereas feeling forced to study in a subject area impairs their motivation and outcomes. The study offers further evidence for the impact of feeling of autonomy on learning processes.
Keywords: Undergraduates; Motivation; Learning strategies; Learning; College students; China
Pages: 49-59
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