Academic Motivation among First-year University Students: Relationships between Two Theoretical Models

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15517/ap.v40i140.62334

Keywords:

Self-determination, achievement goals, academic motivation, higher education, student retention

Abstract

Objective. This paper aims to establish possible relationships between two models of academic motivation: the goal orientation theory and the self-determination theory. This analysis means to build the motivational profile of a university student sample. Method. A total of 236 students answered the Situated Goal Questionnaire and the Scale of Academic Goals. Once the psychometric analysis was done, relationships among the different scales were explored. Finally, a cluster analysis was run to identify motivational profiles. Results. The results show complementarities among the scales of the instruments. Four motivational profiles were identified: multimotivated, intrinsically motivated, extrinsically motivated, and amotivated.

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Author Biographies

  • Diana Abello-Camacho, Universidad Pedagógica Nacional, Bogotá, Colombia

    Universidad Pedagógica Nacional, Doctorado Interinstitucional en Educación, Bogotá, Colombia

  • Christian Hederich-Martínez, Universidad Autónoma de Manizales, Manizales, Colombia

    Universidad Autónoma de Manizales, Doctorado en Ciencias Cognitivas, Manizales, Colombia

  • Angela Camargo-Uribe, Universidad Pedagógica Nacional, Bogotá, Colombia

    Universidad Pedagógica Nacional, Doctorado Interinstitucional en Educación, Bogotá, Colombia

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Published

2026-06-03

How to Cite

Abello-Camacho, D., Hederich-Martínez, C., & Camargo-Uribe, A. (2026). Academic Motivation among First-year University Students: Relationships between Two Theoretical Models. Actualidades En Psicología, 40(140), 81-102. https://doi.org/10.15517/ap.v40i140.62334